West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has expressed shock over Sourav Ganguly's imminent departure as BCCI President.
The former India captain is set to be replaced as board president by 1983 World Cup winning-team member Roger Binny in the apex body's upcoming AGM (Annual General Meeting).
Talking to the media, Mamata said that ‘politics’ should not be done with Ganguly.
Ganguly was keen to continue as the BCCI chief, but things did not pan out that way, even as Jay Shah is set to continue as the secretary.
Mamata threw her weight behind the former opening batsman. The Chief Minister also said that Ganguly has proven that he is a ‘good’ administrator.
"I'm shocked that Sourav Ganguly was deprived of second term as BCCI president. I request PM to make sure Ganguly is allowed to contest ICC election. He's a popular figure which is why he is being deprived. Request GoI not to take a decision politically, but for cricket, sports...He is not a political party member," the Trinamool Congress chief said.
The BJP however slammed Trinamool Congress for making Shahrukh Khan the brand ambassador of Bengal.
Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari mentioned that had the Chief Minister’s love for Ganguly been genuine then she would have made Ganguly the brand ambassador of the state.
State BJP spokesperson Shamik Bhattacharya claimed that Mamata is ‘demeaning’ Ganguly.
Ganguly for CAB post
Meanwhile, Ganguly is going to contest for president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). The former India captain was offered the post of IPL Chairman which he denied.
It will be Ganguly's second term as CAB president if elected. The former India captain was the president from 2015 to 2019 before moving to the BCCI. The CAB polls are scheduled to be held on October 31.
The BCCI is going to hold its AGM in Mumbai on October 18. Former all-rounder Roger Binny for president and Jay Shah for secretary are set to be elected unopposed.
Roger Binny was part of 1983 World Cup-winning team.
The BCCI election next Tuesday is expected to be a formality since none of the office-bearers' posts had more than one nomination.
Rajya Sabha member of parliament Rajeev Shukla is set to retain his post as vice-president.
BCCI will have two new faces as office-bearers.
Mumbai's BJP chief Ashish Shelar will be treasurer replacing Arun Dhumal while Assam Cricket Association's Devajit Saikia is the new joint secretary.
Arun Dhumal is going to be the next IPL Chairman.
