Imperial Vegetarian Dinner at Sourav Ganguly's home with Amit Shah

• Image Credit: Internet

• May 6, 2022 | Poonam Nath

Speculation about Mr Ganguly joining the BJP has appeared irregularly since 2015 and before every major election in Bengal.

Digital Desk: Home Minister Amit Shah, who is in Kolkata, had supper tonight at the home of Indian cricket board president Sourav Ganguly. 

As per reports, the visit was described as a courtesy call because the Union Minister's son, Jay Shah, is the former cricketer's teammate on the Board of Control for Cricket in India, or BCCI.

Mr Ganguly's house was guarded by security when the Home Minister arrived in a white SUV. A crowd had gathered outside on the tiny road to witness Amit Shah, who sat in the front seat and greeted them with a namaste gesture.

Mr Shah was afterwards spotted at the dinner table with Mr Ganguly and his family members.

Mr Ganguly told reporters that no political implications should be drawn from the dinner encounter. He claims to have known Amit Shah for over a decade and has met with him multiple times.

Sourav further said, "...We've got a lot to talk about. He's been a friend of mine since 2008. We used to meet when I used to play, but not as frequently as when I was on tour."

"Earlier today, Mr Ganguly informed reporters. "I work beside his kid. It's a long-standing connection."

While asked by the reporters, "What's on the menu? Mr Ganguly grinned and answered, " "...I'll go home and check. He is a vegetarian."

It's not the first time Mr Ganguly has had to deny that his meeting with Amit Shah had any political overtones. He had to clear the air regarding his meeting with Amit Shah even before the West Bengal assembly elections early last year, denying he would join the BJP.

Speculation about Mr Ganguly joining the BJP has appeared irregularly since 2015 and before every major election in Bengal. There was a lot of chatter about "Dada vs Didi," a reference to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, with Mr Ganguly apparently in talks to join the BJP.

Amit Shah is in Bengal on a three-day tour, ostensibly to raise the morale of the party's leaders.

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