What Is Mamata's Ex-Minister Laxmi Ratna Shukla Hinting At In FB Caricature With Dada?

Speculations are rife that the caricature shared by former TMC Leader and cricketer Laxmi Ratan Shukla suggest new innings for Sourav Ganguly and himself as Dada's name is being discussed behind the scenes in political circles.

Image: @Lshukla6/Twitter

Former Cricketer and BCCI Chief Sourav Ganguly was discharged from the hospital on Thursday after suffering a 'mild cardiac arrest' and going through angioplasty. Ganguly said that he would resume work soon depending on how his body reacts in the coming days. Fans were delighted to see Ganguly and wishes poured in for his better health. While cricketers, Bollywood stars congratulated the BCCI President on his speedy recovery one social media post which grabbed everyone's attention was the caricature shared by former cricketer and TMC Leader Laxmi Ratan Shukla. The former cricketer and ardent supporter of Sourav Ganguly took to Facebook and shared a painting that showed him and 'Dada' together. He captioned the image as, "A true leader/captain not only plays, but also makes his team play. Thank you for this lovely painting my friend."

According to experts, Shukla has hinted at following the same path as Sourav Ganguly. This suggests that if Ganguly decides to for a new inning into politics,  the former TMC leader will go on with his 'Dada'. On January 5th, Shukla tendered his resignation to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stating that he was "leaving politics for now". The decision came barely 72 hours after Shukla met Sourav Ganguly at a hospital in Kolkata on Saturday.

Former cricketer, Bengal minister Laxmi Ratan Shukla quits TMC, says he wants ‘to pursue sports’

Amid rumors that Shukla might join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) like former TMC minister Suvendu Adhikari, chief minister Mamata Banerjee made an official comment on the development while addressing a media conference on Tuesday. “Laxmi is a good boy. He wrote a letter saying he wants to pursue sports wholeheartedly and wants to be relieved of all responsibilities at the party. He did not talk of resigning from the ministry. But we have accepted his resignation and written to the governor that he may be relieved as minister. Laxmi has said that he will continue to be a member of the legislative assembly till its current term comes to an end,” said Banerjee. Former Bengal captain in the Ranji team, Shukla has played IPL along with international cricket. He has also played for Delhi Daredevils, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders.

Sourav Ganguly under pressure to join politics, claims CPI(M) leader

While Shukla did not speak to the media then, CPI(M) leader Ashok Bhattacharya, who is considered very close to Ganguly, alleged that undue pressure was being put on the BCCI president for political gains. "Some people wanted to use Ganguly politically. That probably exerted pressure on him. He is not a political element. He should be known as Sourav the sporting icon," Ashok Bhattacharya had said.

“We should not create pressure on him (for joining politics). I had told Sourav last week he should not join politics and he did not oppose my views,” Mr. Bhattacharya who visited Ganguly at the hospital said.

Reacting to the former minister's comments, BJP State President Dilip Ghosh said, “Some people see politics in everything due to their sick mindset. Like millions of his fans, we only wish that Sourav recovers fully.” Senior Trinamool Congress leader and State minister Sobhandeb Chatterjee, who also visited the former cricketer at the hospital, said that there had never been any effort to induct Ganguly into the party. “We are proud to have him as the icon of sports.” Also Watch|Know why does BJP wants Sourav Ganguly on their side?