Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly dismissed claims that he contacted Yusuf Pathan on behalf of Mamata Banerjee to ask him to resign as a Member of Parliament. The reports suggested that Ganguly conveyed a message to Pathan to vacate his seat to enable Mamata Banerjee to contest a by-election, but Ganguly called these allegations false and denied any involvement in political matters, according to livemint.com.
The controversy arose amid speculation about Mamata Banerjee's plans to contest a by-election from Pathan's constituency. Ganguly clarified that he has never been involved in political affairs with any party or individual, emphasizing that the reports linking him to the resignation request were baseless. The denial came as a response to widespread media coverage that had linked Ganguly to the political maneuvering, as reported by livemint.com.
This clarification is significant given Ganguly's public stature and the political sensitivity surrounding by-elections in India. Mamata Banerjee, a prominent political figure, has been seeking to strengthen her position through electoral contests, making the alleged resignation request a matter of public interest. Ganguly's statement helps dispel rumors that could have influenced public perception and political discourse ahead of the by-election, according to livemint.com.
The denial was made public on June 6, 2026, with Ganguly explicitly stating he has never engaged in political matters with any concerned parties. This statement aims to put an end to the circulating claims and maintain clarity about Ganguly's non-involvement in the political scenario surrounding Mamata Banerjee and Yusuf Pathan, as detailed by livemint.com.