Both leaders made contradictory statements on the recent CAB elections bringing the rift inside the CPM into the open, thus affecting the party's image.

After the two-hour-long meeting arranged at the instance of Mr Basu, the party secretary, Mr Biman Bose, told mediapersons that disputes over the CAB elections vis-à-vis Dalmiya episode had been resolved.

He said, henceforth, neither Mr Bhattacharjee nor Mr Basu or other CPM leaders would make any public statements in this connection.

The party would also not get involved in the CAB matter or in the matter of any other sports organisations, he added.

Incidentally, the Chief Minister had projected the city police chief, Mr Prasun Mukherjee, as his candidate against Mr Dalmiya in the CAB elections.

Initially, he wanted Mr Dalmiya not to contest the election but the request was turned down. In the elections, Mr Dalmiya finally won, which the Chief Minister felt was his defeat.

And soon, the angry Chief Minister made some objectionable remarks on Mr Dalmiya's victory saying the evil had won over the good, obviously hinting at those supporting Mr Dalmiya, who is close both to Mr Basu and the state Sports Minister, Mr Subhas Chakraborty.

Mr Basu strongly objected to the Chief Minister's public statement over the CAB elections, which were free and fair and held under the supervision of a former HC Judge. He also did not approve of the CM's decision of projecting the city police chief in the CAB elections.