Will Sourav Ganguly join BJP? Former Indian captain addresses rumors
What's the story
Sourav Ganguly, the former captain of the Indian cricket team, has many records to his name. And earlier this week, he started his new innings when he was elected as the chief of BCCI, the top cricket administrative body in the country. Soon, speculations sparked that he might join BJP, but Ganguly has clarified he isn't planning a political plunge "as of now".
Context
Dada, being Dada, surprised many by going for the job
Dada, as Ganguly is famously known, was the only candidate to file nomination for the post of BCCI President. Only recently, he was elected as the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). Before Saturday, no one knew Dada would throw his hat in the ring for the top job. His move, obviously, surprised many, but all cricket lovers were just happy to see him.
Meeting
Meanwhile, Ganguly's meeting with Amit Shah sparked rumors
Interestingly, on Saturday, Ganguly met Union Home Minister Amit Shah, triggering rumors. It was widely speculated that the BJP President "helped" Ganguly's election. Reportedly, Shah wanted Ganguly to contest the 2021 Assembly polls of West Bengal and take on current Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Given Ganguly's popularity, it seemed Shah thought the entire process through. But the former captain had a different story.
Statement
Ganguly dismissed the rumors about his political plunge
On Tuesday, when Ganguly was asked about the reports, he replied, "Not once he (Shah) has said 'We'll do this for doing that' and you've got to give respect to that." He also reminded that similar rumors were sparked when he met Mamata. The 47-year-old said he met Shah for the first time and there's no "political movement at the moment".
Quote
No tit for tat deal happened: Ganguly
"Neither was I asked a question on what's going to happen to BCCI, whether I'm going to get a post or not. Nor was there any discussion of the sort that 'you (meaning himself) get this (BCCI presidentship) only if you agree to that'," he went on.
Statement
Didn't decide BCCI president: Shah said earlier
Notably, Shah made a similar comment during his interview with India Today. Saying no "deals" were stuck, he added, "It's just bad-mouthing against Sourav Ganguly." Shah also said there's no harm in Ganguly meeting him as he has been associated with cricket for years. "I did not decide who will be BCCI President. BCCI has its own election process for it," the politician said.
Team
New BCCI Chief will take charge on October 23
Now, Ganguly and his new team will assume office on October 23. Shah's son Jay will be the new secretary of BCCI and Union Minister Anurag Thakur's younger brother, Arun Dhumal, will be the new treasurer. Jayesh George and Mahim Verma will be the new Joint Secretary and Vice President respectively. Earlier, Dada said his top priority is bringing back normalcy in Indian cricket.