By IANS,
Kolkata : There is no evidence that former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, a “brand ambassador” for the Election Commission in West Bengal, has any links with the state’s ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), an election official Thursday.
“We have thoroughly examined the Trinamool Congress’ questioning of Sourav Ganguly becoming Election Commission’s Brand Ambassador for his alleged association with CPI-M. We have found no evidence in support of the allegation. Even the CD submitted by the Trinamool containing recorded comments of Ganguly and CPI-M minister Ashok Bhattacharya has been examined and no evidence of Ganguly participating in political campaign was found,” said joint chief electoral officer Dibyendu Sarkar.
The Trinamool Congress Wednesday lodged a complaint against the former Indian cricket captain for “maintaining links” with the CPI-M despite being an Election Commission (EC) “icon” in West Bengal.
Trinamool also alleged that Ganguly was the brand ambassador of various state government departments, including West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC).
“We have spoken to government officials and enquired about the allegation. But we came to know that Ganguly is not the brand ambassador of any government department,” Sarkar said at a media meet here.
“We have sent our view on allegations levelled against Ganguly to the Election Commission. The formal decision regarding the matter would be taken by them,” Sarkar said adding the chief electoral officer’s office had contacted Ganguly and enquired about the accusations.
A release, issued by the CEO’s office, said: “Ganguly has expressed his concern for having his good office being dragged to a controversy. He strongly denied any involvement with any single political party and stated in unequivocal terms that whatever he did was done as a cricketer and in furtherance of the cause of the game in the country.”