WB polls: TMC complains against Sourav Ganguly

The Election Commission`s decision selecting former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly for an audio-visual promo for West Bengal assembly elections has run into trouble.

Kolkata: The Election Commission`s decision
selecting former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly for an
audio-visual promo for West Bengal assembly elections has
run into trouble with Trinamool Congress complaining that he
was politically affiliated to ruling CPI(M).

"We had taken a verbal assurance from Sourav Ganguly
that he won`t campaign for any political party before
selecting him as an icon of the commission," Additional Chief
Electoral Officer N K Sahana said today.
Ganguly and percussionist Bikram Ghosh were selected by
the Election Commission which produced the audio-visual for
telecast on major channels to create interest among the people
to vote.

The controversy arose when Urban Development Minister
Ashok Bhattacharya, belonging to CPI(M), claimed Ganguly would
campaign for him in the elections.

"Trinamool Congress gave a CD where the Minister`s and
Ganguly`s versions are recorded," Sahana said.

"We have gone through it and the decision regarding the
issue will be taken tomorrow," he said.

"If he agrees to campaign for any political party, then
we will have to withdraw the promo. We cannot stop him from
expressing his political opinion publicly," Sahana said when
asked whether Ganguly could campaign for a political party.
Trinamool Congress said in its complaint that it would be
against election ethics for Ganguly to be the icon of the EC
when he was politically affiliated to CPI(M).

The former Indian captain was not available for comments.

PTI

Zee News App: Read latest news of India and world, bollywood news, business updates, cricket scores, etc. Download the Zee news app now to keep up with daily breaking news and live news event coverage.