'Incorrect and untrue': Sourav Ganguly denies asking Yusuf Pathan to resign 'on behalf of' Mamata Banerjee

Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has dismissed reports claiming that he contacted Yusuf Pathan on behalf of Mamata Banerjee and asked him to resign from his elected post to facilitate her contesting a by-election.

In a statement, Ganguly said allegations that he had acted as an intermediary for Mamata were "untrue". The report alleged that he had contacted Pathan on behalf of Banerjee and conveyed a message asking him to "step down/resign from his Constitutional post as the elected representative" of the constituency to enable Banerjee to contest a by-election from the seat.

"It was alleged that I had contacted Mr Yusuf Pathan on behalf of Mamta Banerjee, the former Chief Minister of West Bengal and had carried her message that he should step down/resign from his Constitutional post as the elected representative of the aforesaid constituency in order to enable Ms Banerjee to contest the ensuing by-elections from the said constituency," Ganguly said.

Rejecting the claim, he added, "The aforesaid allegations are untrue."

Calling the rumours irresponsible, Ganguly said it was "extremely unfortunate" that no effort appeared to have been made to verify the allegations before publication. He added that the allegations concerning him were made "in reckless disregard of the truth."

Ganguly also categorically denied having acted as an intermediary for Banerjee. "It is thus necessary to place on record that I was never requested/asked by Ms Mamata Banerjee to convey any message from her to Mr. Yusuf Pathan," he said.

The former India captain reiterated that since no such communication took place, the question of Pathan responding in the manner described in the report "does not and cannot arise."

He also distanced himself from political affairs, stating, "I have never been involved in political matters at any stage with any one concerned."

The clarification comes amid speculation over the Baharampur Lok Sabha seat and reports suggesting efforts were being made to facilitate a by-election from the constituency to give Mamata a chance to get elected.