The Bengal BJP lauded the Tripura government's decision and slammed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for not picking cricket legend Sourav Ganguly as the state’s tourism face. The party demanded Kolkata sheriff title for Ganguly.
Sourav Ganguly was named as the brand ambassador of Tripura tourism on May 23. (File photo)
By Sujay Ghosh: Days after former Indian cricket team captain, Sourav Ganguly, was named the tourism ambassador of Tripura, Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar demanded that he should be made the sheriff of Kolkata.
Bengal’s BJP unit lauded Tripura’s decision and slammed state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for not picking him as the state’s tourism face.
Sukanta Majumdar, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief of West Bengal, expressed his admiration for Sourav Ganguly, referring to him as an icon and a source of pride for Bengal and Bengalis. Majumdar noted that the West Bengal government missed an opportunity by not appointing Ganguly as the brand ambassador of tourism earlier. However, he commended the government of Tripura for selecting Ganguly as the tourism ambassador for the state, acknowledging the significant Bengali population in Tripura. Majumdar extended gratitude to the Tripura government for recognizing a personality like Sourav Ganguly for this role and appreciating his contributions.
“The Bengal government should at least appoint Ganguly as Kolkata’s civic body sheriff since that post is vacant,” he said.
In a significant development, Tripura Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury paid a visit to Sourav Ganguly's residence in Kolkata on Tuesday. During the meeting, Minister Chowdhury extended an official proposal to Ganguly, inviting him to become the brand ambassador of Tripura tourism. Acknowledging the offer, Ganguly graciously accepted the role.
The visit served as an opportunity for the Tourism Minister to discuss the potential collaboration and highlight the various tourism initiatives and attractions in Tripura. Ganguly's acceptance of the proposal is expected to bring increased visibility and promotion to the state's tourism sector, leveraging his immense popularity and influence.
As an iconic figure and a widely respected personality, Sourav Ganguly's association with Tripura tourism is expected to bolster the state's image and attract more visitors. The Minister expressed enthusiasm and gratitude for Ganguly's agreement, recognizing the value of having such an esteemed individual as the face of Tripura tourism.
With this partnership, the focus will be on showcasing the unique cultural heritage, natural beauty, and tourism potential of Tripura to a broader audience. The collaborative efforts are poised to drive tourism growth, generate employment opportunities, and boost the economy of the state.
As further details of the association are worked out, both the Tripura Tourism Ministry and Sourav Ganguly's team are expected to engage in joint initiatives and promotional activities to maximize the impact of this partnership.
Overall, the agreement between Sourav Ganguly and the Tripura Tourism Ministry signifies a positive step towards elevating the tourism industry in Tripura and positioning the state as an attractive destination for travelers.
Following the recent development of Sourav Ganguly accepting the proposal to become the brand ambassador of Tripura tourism, a political rift has emerged between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In response to the growing political speculations surrounding his decision, Ganguly expressed his disappointment and urged political leaders to refrain from politicizing his actions.
Ganguly, on Wednesday, made a statement addressing the situation, expressing his dismay at the tendency to attribute political motives to every aspect of his involvement. He called for a more measured approach and requested political leaders to avoid giving a political angle to his endeavors.
The statement by Sourav Ganguly highlights his desire to maintain a non-partisan stance and focus on the purpose at hand, which is promoting tourism in Tripura. By urging political leaders to refrain from politicizing his actions, Ganguly emphasizes the need to keep the focus on the positive impact his association with Tripura tourism can bring.
As the situation unfolds, it is important to recognize Sourav Ganguly's plea for his actions to be seen independently of political considerations. His intention to contribute to the promotion of tourism in Tripura should be viewed as a non-political endeavor, aimed at benefiting the state and its residents.
It remains to be seen how political parties will respond to Ganguly's appeal, and whether a more constructive and less politicized approach can be adopted in relation to his involvement in public initiatives.