Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley visits Dalmiya residence, meets Avishek

Kolkata, Sep 26 - Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday visited the residence of late BCCI chief Jagmohan Dalmiya to offer his condolences, and held a closed door meeting with the cricket czar's son Avishek - now poised to take over as the joint secretary of the Cricket Association of Bengal.

Jaitley, who flew into the city in the morning, spent some time at the Raj Bhawan, and then went to Dalmiya's south Kolkata residence - 10, Alipore Road.

Avishek later said Jaitley had come to console the bereaved family.

"He (Jaitley) was very close to my dad. They worked together for long in the BCCI. They had some mutual fond memories. He had come to offer his condolence."

Cricket Association of Bengal sources said Jaitley had a closed door interaction with Avishek, which came in the backdrop of interest regarding the association's stand with regard to the election of the new Board of Control for Cricket in India president.

Would-be CAB president Sourav Ganguly is understood to be not so favourably inclined towards former BCCI president N. Srinivasan, who has been trying to stay relevant reportedly by extending support to Maharashtra strongman and Mumbai Cricket Association chief Sharad Pawar.

On the other hand, CAB treasurer Biswarup Dey is known as a Srinivasan loyalist.

(IANS)