Kolkata, July 31: Having retained control over the Cricket Association of Bengal, Jagmohan Dalmiya is now eyeing the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s annual elections in September. Mr Dalmiya threw the gauntlet down on Monday asserting that the BCCI’s efforts to malign him would not go "unchallenged".

"I don’t believe in witch-hunting, but a lot of wrong has been done to me (by the BCCI). This is not cricket. I can only say that whatever they do will not go unchallenged," he said. One of his close associates hinted at the CAB president contesting the forthcoming BCCI elections.

"At the moment, it seems, he (Mr Dalmiya) does not have the numbers. But in a couple of months time, if he can reach even close (to the magic figure), he will contest," said the source.

Asked about such a possibility, a BCCI office-bearer told this paper on Monday, "If the board’s constitution allows him to contest, he surely can." About the CAB polls he said: "We should not comment. It was their internal matter. Elections are normal in a democratic sports body."

Incidentally, the board has asked Mr Dalmiya to appear before its disciplinary committee on August 15 in Chennai in connection with the alleged Rs 40 crore embezzlement of 1996 World Cup funds. The committee consists of president Sharad Pawar, Shashank Manohar and Chirayu Amin.

To resurrect himself at national level, the former board president faces an uphill task. Being suspended from attending BCCI meetings, he will have to win a legal battle to be eligible. "I needed the CAB platform to bring the truth to the fore," Mr Dalmiya said as he defied West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee’s advice not to contest.

After the elections on Sunday, there was mutual camaraderie between him and his challenger, city police chief Prasun Mukherjee. "We will work together from tomorrow. There is no enmity between me and Prasun Mukherjee," said the winner. Mr Mukherjee, in turn, said: "It was a close contest, but a gentlemanly and friendly fight. It was a fair election. Nobody had anything to complain about. I accept the result." Efforts are already on from Dalmiya-camp to get his rival involved in CAB activities.

Mr Dalmiya also took a soft stand on Sourav Ganguly. "Baccha chele (he is a child). It’s not right to talk about bacchas," he said when asked whether he would still back the Bengal left-hander. His aides admitted that a five-vote margin was too close for comfort and even gave credit to the police commissioner for wielding a wedge in a committed vote-bank. Clearly, they have realised that from now extra efforts are needed both on the home and BCCI fronts.