Mamata’s Choice: BJP Accuses Mamata of Prioritizing SRK over Ganguly

A recent decision by the Tripura government to appoint former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief Sourav Ganguly as the state’s tourism ambassador has sparked controversy. Amidst this, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of favoring Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan over Ganguly. The move has intensified the ongoing political rivalry between the BJP and Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the region.

Sourav Ganguly, a former Indian cricket captain and a highly revered figure in the sport, has been named the brand ambassador for tourism in Tripura. However, this decision has led to a political tussle between the BJP, which governs Tripura, and the TMC, led by Mamata Banerjee in neighboring West Bengal. The BJP has alleged that Banerjee, in her capacity as the Chief Minister, chose Shah Rukh Khan, a prominent Bollywood actor, as the brand ambassador for West Bengal, instead of Ganguly, due to political reasons.

The BJP has criticized Mamata Banerjee for prioritizing her personal preferences and Bollywood connections over the iconic status of Sourav Ganguly. They argue that Ganguly’s immense contribution to Indian cricket and his popularity among the masses make him a more suitable choice as a tourism ambassador. The party alleges that Mamata Banerjee’s decision was driven by political motives, aimed at projecting Shah Rukh Khan’s association with West Bengal to garner more support from the Hindi film industry.

The Trinamool Congress has dismissed these allegations as baseless and politically motivated. They argue that the selection of Shah Rukh Khan was based on his global appeal and his stature as one of India’s biggest film stars, which would help promote West Bengal on an international level. They maintain that it was a decision made in the best interest of the state’s tourism industry.

Re-reported from the story originally published in India Today