KOLKATA, May 26: In first indication of an anti-Jagmohan Dalmiya combine taking shape ahead of elections of Cricket Association of Bengal, India, in July, city police commissioner and several former Ranji Trophy cricketers held a meeting to discuss ways of forging an alternative to ruling group.

Dalmiya, who had uninterrupted run as CAB president since early 90s, also held parleys with his loyalists at Eden Gardens, that houses CAB headquarters.

State Sports Minister Subhas Chakraborty went to CAB and met Dalmiya, Chakrabory said his visit was unrelated to elections.

This will be first elections in CAB since Dalmiya combine lost power in the board.

There is already some speculation that leading figures in BCCI's ruling group are active behind scene to oust Dalmiya from his pocket borough of CAB.

Dalmiya had a rough time ever since his group suffered a drubbing in BCCI elections.

BCCI served him two show cause letters and filed an FIR alleging wrong-doing in relation to an account of PILCOM (Pakistan-India-Lanka Organsing Committee for 1996 World Cup).

Dalmiya secured anticipatory bail from Mumbai High Court.—Agencies