Ganguly’s tweet triggers frenzied speculation
MUMBAI: On Wednesday evening, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly posted a cryptic tweet thanking ‘every single person who has been part of the journey’ and mentioning that he is planning to start something new that would ‘probably help a lot of people’.
The tweet set the rumour mills abuzz and the former India captain was suddenly linked to everything between a Rajya Sabha seat and a position in the world cricket body, ICC.
Ganguly’s possible entry into politics has been speculated since he became BCCI president in 2019, a day after a meet-andgreet with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Political equations with the Centre generally have a bearing on the BCCI power structure and Shah’s son Jay is the board secretary.
“2022 marks the 30th year since the start of my journey with cricket in 1992. Since then, cricket has given me a lot. Most importantly, it has given me the support of all of you,” Ganguly posted in his 5.20 pm promotional tweet. I want to thank every single person who has been part of the journey, supported me, and helped me reach where I am today. Today, I am planning to start something that I feel will probably help a lot of people. I hope you continue your support as I enter this chapter of my life.”
Some thought it meant he was stepping down as BCCI head while others took it as a cue that he was entering politics. Both have been speculated in the past. It was rumoured that Ganguly could join BJP during last year’s West Bengal assembly elections too.
Only three weeks back, Ganguly dined with Shah, having invited the minister to his Kolkata residence. “I have known him (Shah) since 2008. I work with his son. He had dinner with us,” Ganguly had then said.
A day later, he thanked West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee for helping him set up an institute. She had announced his taking over as Cricket Association of Bengal president in 2015.
On the latest round of news frenzy, Ganguly said the media takes it too far. “It was a simple tweet. I was surprised to hear it,” he replied about the resulting chaos.
Ganguly told reporters outside his Kolkata residence that he was only promoting an ‘educational app’.
Before Ganguly’s clarification, Jay Shah had issued a statement. “The rumours doing rounds about Mr Sourav Ganguly stepping down from the post of BCCI President are factually incorrect,” it said.