That Sourav Ganguly will not get a second term as the BCCI president, while Jay Shah will continue as the board secretary, has kicked off a storm in West Bengal politics.
The ruling TMC has accused the BJP of humiliating the legendary former India skipper, who enjoys a cult following in his home state, by denying him a second term as the board president. 1983 World Cup-winner Roger Binny is tipped to replace him.
So, what led to the alleged split?
Ganguly was appointed the BCCI president ahead of three strong contenders, including Brijesh Patel, who was all set to take the top post. But a heavy hand from the saffron party in Delhi changed the equation within five to 10 minutes, and Ganguly emerged as the winner. It led to speculations of a political quid pro quo.
BJP expected Ganguly to openly support the party in the assembly election in 2021, if not join the party. Insiders say that none wanted Ganguly to become the chief minister but the party leadership wanted Ganguly to at least ask his fans to vote for the BJP.
Though the saffron party managed to net a big fish in actor Mithun Chakraborty, Ganguly proved to be a difficult catch. It was a tough ask for him – to choose between Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the BJP.
Ganguly was close to Jyoti Basu, Buddhadeb Bhattacharya and several other Communist leaders in West Bengal. CPI(M) leader and former minister Ashok Bhattacharya even went to his house and asked him not to endorse any party.
"Sourav told me don't worry Ashok da. I will not do any mistake"
But Amit Shah's dinner at his house, and his wife Dona, a classical dancer, performing in BJP's programmes raised several eyebrows. Ganguly was expected to join the saffron party any moment.
But then, he had a heart attack and was admitted to hospital ahead of the assembly polls. Shah called Dona and offered Ganguly to be brought to Delhi for better treatment. Ganguly remained in Kolkata. His chances of joining politics was over for the time being.
In the meantime, BJP was trounced in the polls, and things started changing.
On Ganguly's birthday, Banerjee visited him at his Behala house. They had tea and the “chai pe charcha” led to fresh speculations.
Soon after, Ganguly bought a big plot in the heart of the city - on Shakespeare Sarani (road) - and built his new home.
The message to the BJP's top leadership in Delhi was loud and clear – all was not well between Ganguly and the saffron party. Gone were the scenes of the BCCI president sitting beside Jay Shah at the matches. He was seen in the company of retired cricketers.
The split seems to be complete now. Neither will Ganguly get a second term, nor will the BCCI back him for the ICC chairman's post.
He hinted at an event that he would begin from scratch again, and had bigger things in mind.
Ganguly has been a master of comebacks on the field – the most famous being his smashing return to the national Test side in 1996, with two centuries against England, having been dropped after a poor performance in Australia in 1992.
Will he be able to do it again in his administrative career? Only time will tell.
