Sandeep Sarkar, Kolkata: Statement, counter statement. The interior of CAB, the governing body of Bengal cricket, is also in a state of flux after the political changes in the state.
Two days after the arrest of former Trinamool MLA and District Coaching Committee Chairman of CAB Sujoy Hazra, Secretary of Medinipur District Sports Association, Sanjit Tori, exploded the bomb. Alleged that Sujoy Hazra came to the annual general meeting of CAB after removing him due to political influence. Sanjit A also informed that he sent the nomination paper to CAB through representative. But CAB head clerk Vishwapati Sen refused to take it. His representative was returned. Sujoy Hazra then went to the CAB AGM.
CAB issued a statement denying the allegations. It was said that Sanjit Torey said these things with the intention of defaming the organization. However, the question looms large as to how the CAB Head Clerk verified the nomination papers. especially Supreme CourtAccording to the guidelines, no one except the Electoral Officer Sushant Ranjan Upadhyay has the power to scrutinize the nomination papers. CAB could not give any reply to him.
Former CAB president Snehashis Gangopadhyay opened his mouth amid controversy. Who was on the CAB’s list during the nomination process last year. Former cricketer and current CAB president Sourav Gangopadhyay’s grandfather Snehashis told ABP Live Bangla, ‘The Electoral Officer has clear guidelines on what documents are required while submitting the Appendix A (representation and nomination form). Seeing that the document was not there, the head clerk Vishwapati informed Sanjit Torii, the representative of Midnipur District Sports Association. It did not contain the letter of undertaking for the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Midnipur District Cricket Association, where it was written that he would be sent as a representative to the Annual General Meeting. But later, in the appendix of Medinipur District Sports Association, Sujoy Hazra’s name was there. And it was signed by Sanjit Tore himself.’
But where no one has the authority to verify the documents other than the Electoral Officer, how did the CAB head clerk go to verify the documents? Snehashis said, ‘No one is supposed to verify the documents except the Manchi Electoral Officer. That is the rule. But Vishwapati wanted to help with the interests of the members in mind. The Electoral Officer could later cancel the submission in that appendix. In that case there would have been no representative of Medinipur in the CAB AGM. At that time this Sanjit used to say that they were not allowed to represent. We wanted all organizations to be represented.’
The former CAB president added, ‘There was once a delay in sending my name to the Special General Meeting of the Indian Cricket Board. Later, however, special permission was given to me. But the election of the service board was not the matter. Selection was done. If there was an election, I would not be allowed to represent. But last time when Sanjit Tore had sent people to submit the forms, it was still not clear whether the CAB would be elected or not. The Electoral Officer could have canceled that form if there was an election.’
However, a section of the CAB said that it was practically accepted that illegal activities had been done. No matter how much it speaks to the interests of the members. At that time, CAB Vice President Amlendu Biswas said on Monday night, ‘According to Article 62 (2) of the CAB constitution, it is the responsibility of the Electoral Officer to monitor and supervise the entire election process. He is the one who announced the date of election. Scrutiny of nomination papers was scheduled to take place on September 15 from 11 am to 3 pm before the 2025 Annual General Meeting. The final list was to be published on September 19. I don’t know how anyone other than the Electoral Officer can verify the documents!’ All in all, the counter question remained.
Letter war has also started in Medinipur district sports organization. On Tuesday, Tapas Dey, a life member of Midnipur District Sports Association, wrote a letter to the District Magistrate of Paschim Midinipur and complained that the election of Midnipur District Sports Association was held on November 20, 2022 and the current committee took office on November 28 that year. Tapas De alleged that the term of that committee was 2 years and the term of the committee expired on November 28, 2024. But then there was no election. He alleged that even after the expiry of the term, the committee is carrying out financial transactions and works. It has been demanded to be stopped immediately. Copies of the letter have been sent to all affiliated sports bodies including CAB and IFA.
When contacted, Sanjit Torii said, ‘He does not know that the committee was formed for 3 years and not 2 years. The District Magistrate also has guidelines on this. After the expiry of that period in November last year, we have applied to the District Magistrate twice from December. But the District Magistrate himself said that it could not be done as the government employees were very busy for the SIR process. The truth will be known only if the District Magistrate is asked about it. He has also assured that the election will be held soon. Sanjit also said, ‘During the AGM of CAB, the current committee of Midnipur District Sports Association was legally in power. Honorable District Magistrate is responsible for selecting the District Sports Association. Until the elections are held, we are asked to carry out the work. There is also a meeting with the District Collector on June 15.’
Seeing the commotion over his complaint, Sanjit Torai said, ‘I am happy to see the CAB’s statement. Because my complaint has been accepted. CAB accepted the fact that the scrutiny of the appendix form was done by the Head Clerk outside the jurisdiction.
