'Z' category security to Sourav Ganguly leads to speculations about his political debut

A political drama is unfolding in West Bengal even as the general elections are just a year away.

The decision of the Mamata Banerjee government to give 'Z' category security cover to former Indian Cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has raised several eyebrows. The new house of Ganguly—a retired cricketer who is facing no threat to his life—near Shakespear Sarani at central Kolkata will now be guarded by nearly 40 policemen. He will also have a pilot vehicle, and officials of the directorate of security of West Bengal will accompany him during his foreign travels as well. He will also be exempted from being frisked at airports.

Ganguly is the third person in Bengal to get the state’s 'Z' category security. The other two leaders are CM Mamata Banerjee, who has an 'Z plus security', and her nephew and MP Abhishek Banerjee who has 'Z' security.

His security update apart, there are speculations that Ganguly may join politics ahead of the general elections next year. However, everything depends on his health. He has an apartment in London where he spends the summer every year. Ganguly’s daughter, Sana, is studying at a London college.

During the next summer, Ganguly is likely to be far away from London, possibly at the place which was the first capital city of British India. As the Karnataka elections left the BJP red-faced, the general elections are expected to be a fierce battle. If Ganguly decides to join a party, the political equations could change in the general elections.

Ganguly could not be reached for a reaction, but TMC sources said he would be urged by Mamata to travel extensively across the country to counter the polarisation attempts by the BJP.

Last year, after a fallout with BCCI secretary Jay Shah and the denial of a second term as BCCI chief, Ganguly's relationship with the saffron party had soured. He came back to Kolkata restless and Mamata Banerjee took the opportunity to visit him at his ancestral residence in Behala. The former cricketer's wife, Dona, who used to perform at BJP-organised functions in 2021, suddenly started appearing in state government functions.

TMC sources said Ganguly is being persuaded by the party, but no confirmation has come from the leadership level about the possibility of him participating in the elections. In 2021, ahead of assembly elections, the former cricketer had kept the central BJP leadership, including Amit Shah, guessing. He did not finally join the BJP.

People close to Ganguly said, “Dada was in double minds about joining politics and particularly the BJP as he is loved in Bengal by people belonging to every caste and community. This time also it would not be easy to persuade him. But as Didi is very persuasive, anything can happen.”

With allegations of corruption making Mamata Banerjee government increasingly unpopular, the Bengal chief minister requires someone like Ganguly to boost her party's image. In fact, she has done that in the past with other celebs. The question is whether Ganguly, who harbors national aspirations will yield to the pressure of Didi.