Sourav Ganguly’s supporters assert that the former captain was driven from his position as president of Indian cricket because he refused to join the party in power.
Known as one of India’s finest captains, Ganguly has served as the BCCI’s (Board of Control for Cricket in India) president for the previous three years.
When the board holds its annual general meeting on Tuesday, he was expected to win a second term as president.
However, Ganguly, 50, is reported to have declined to join the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is the government (BJP).
According to board vice-president Rajeev Shukla, 1983 World Cup winner Roger Binny submitted his nomination this week and is expected to be elected without opposition the next week.
Politicians from West Bengal, where Ganguly is from, claimed that the former batsman was removed without his will.
According to opposition member Santanu Sen on Twitter, it was a “political vendetta” on the part of the government.
He said, “We are with you Dada!” addressing Ganguly by his nick name.
The country’s home minister, Amit Shah, paid Ganguly a visit earlier this year. In recent months, media conjecture about Ganguly’s political affiliation has been a common occurrence.
A provision prohibiting sporting officials from serving consecutive terms in the same position was recently modified by India’s top court, allowing Shah’s son Jay, the BCCI secretary, and Ganguly to apply for re-appointment.
The BJP has denied involvement in the impending board vote and charged that its rivals are politicizing the situation.
Sourav Ganguly is a legendary cricketer. The BCCI changes are currently causing some people to cry crocodile tears, according to the party’s vice-president Dilip Ghosh.
The younger brother of the nation’s sports minister, Anurag Thakur, and current BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal, is anticipated to be chosen as the new chairman of the Indian Premier League.
