The BJP refuted the accusations, saying that Ganguly is a renowned cricketer and that politics had no bearing on the BCCI’s choice. Sourav Ganguly’s departure as the head of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has sparked a political brawl in West Bengal, with the ruling Trinamool Congress claiming that the legendary cricketer is the target of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) retaliation.
Roger Binny, who led India to victory in the 1983 World Cup, is expected to succeed Ganguly as BCCI president at the board’s annual general meeting on October 18. Ganguly held the position for three years.
The charges against the BJP gained steam after Jay Shah, the son of Union home minister Amit Shah, was kept as the BCCI secretary shortly after the news of Ganguly’s name being removed from the BCCI broke.
A further instance of political vengeance. Son of @AmitShah may continue serving as #BCCI Secretary. @SGanguly99 however, cannot be. Is it the case that he is not a member of @BJP4India or that he is from the State of @MamataOfficial? We support you, Dad! TMC MP Santanu Sen tweeted.
The BJP denied the allegations, claiming that Ganguly is a legendary cricketer and that politics had nothing to do with the BCCI’s decision.
The Bengali people’s passion for cricket has always been centred on the former Indian cricket team captain. Ganguly was called by a Durga Puja committee in Kolkata to open a pandal that was designed to resemble the famous balcony at England’s Lord’s stadium this year. The amazing celebration led by Ganguly following India’s victory in the 2002 NatWest Trophy final is what cricket fans will most fondly recall.
The TMC’s accusations that Ganguly was a victim of the BJP’s vengeance politics can be traced back to 2021, when rumours were rampant prior to the West Bengal assembly elections when the saffron party attempted to recruit the cricketer for their electoral operations.
Ganguly was hospitalised in Kolkata in January 2021 after having a small heart attack and Prime Minister Narendra Modi contacted him to check on him and wish him a speedy recovery. Even on May 6 of this year, Amit Shah went to Ganguly’s house for dinner along with other key BJP officials from.
Although he was spotted on September 1 at a government event held in response to the Durga Puja in Kolkata receiving a heritage tag from UNESCO, Ganguly chose to stay out of politics and avoided entering it. However, the BJP refuted reports that it had attempted to recruit Ganguly in advance of the 2021 assembly elections.
“We are unsure of when the BJP attempted to recruit Ganguly. He is a legendary cricketer. Some people are currently weeping crocodile tears at the BCCI amendments. Did they play any part when he became president of the BCCI? The TMC needs to quit politicising everything, said BJP national vice-president Dilip Ghosh.
When the BJP attempted to recruit Ganguly is unknown to us. He is a legendary cricketer. Some people are currently weeping crocodile tears at the BCCI amendments. Did they play any part when he became president of the BCCI? The TMC needs to quit politicising everything, said BJP vice-president Dilip Ghosh.
“Since the BJP floated propaganda during and following the 2021 elections, it will undoubtedly be the party’s responsibility to reply to such rumours” (that politics is behind Ganguly not getting a second term as BCCI chief). The BJP appears to be attempting to degrade Sourav, according to TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh.
Political analysts like Biswanath Chakraborty believe that even though the BJP won’t suffer significantly politically. The TMC will undoubtedly benefit if it is successful in bringing Ganguly on board.
“West Bengal has already caused problems for the BJP. What else has it got to lose? However, the TMC would undoubtedly attempt to intensify its courtship of Ganguly. The party’s reputation has suffered, thus the addition of a man with a good reputation will undoubtedly help, according to Chakraborty.