Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has strongly dismissed reports that he contacted cricketer-turned-politician Yusuf Pathan on behalf of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, asking him to resign from his elected post to facilitate her contesting a by-election. In a statement, Ganguly labeled the allegations as 'untrue' and expressed dismay over the lack of verification before publication.
Allegations of Mediation
The report in question claimed that Ganguly acted as an intermediary for Banerjee, conveying a message to Pathan to step down from his constitutional post as the elected representative of his constituency. This, it was alleged, would enable Banerjee to contest a by-election from that seat. Ganguly categorically denied any such communication, stating, 'It was alleged that I had contacted Mr. Yusuf Pathan on behalf of Mamta Banerjee, the former Chief Minister of West Bengal, and had carried her message that he should step down/resign from his Constitutional post as the elected representative of the aforesaid constituency in order to enable Ms. Banerjee to contest the ensuing by-elections from the said constituency. The aforesaid allegations are untrue.'
Ganguly's Response
Ganguly called the rumors 'irresponsible' and 'extremely unfortunate,' noting that no effort appeared to have been made to verify the allegations before they were published. He emphasized that the claims were made 'in reckless disregard of the truth.' The former India captain also clarified that he was never requested or asked by Banerjee to convey any message to Pathan. 'It is thus necessary to place on record that I was never requested/asked by Ms. Mamata Banerjee to convey any message from her to Mr. Yusuf Pathan,' he said.
No Communication with Pathan
Ganguly reiterated that since no such communication took place, the question of Pathan responding in the manner described in the report 'does not and cannot arise.' He further distanced himself from political affairs, stating, 'I have never been involved in political matters at any stage with any one concerned.'
Context of the Controversy
The clarification comes amid speculation over the Baharampur Lok Sabha seat and reports suggesting efforts were being made to facilitate a by-election from the constituency to give Mamata Banerjee a chance to get elected to the Parliament. Yusuf Pathan, a former Indian cricketer, is currently a member of the Trinamool Congress and represents the Baharampur constituency in the Lok Sabha.
About the Author
TOI News Desk: The TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.
