Amit Shah is invited to dinner by Sourav Ganguly

Home Minister Amit Shah, who is in Kolkata for a visit, had dinner tonight with Indian cricket board chief Sourav Ganguly. The visit was described as a courtesy call because the former cricketer’s colleague, Union Minister Jay Shah, serves as Honorary Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, or BCCI.

In a white SUV surrounded by bodyguards, the Home Minister arrived at Mr Ganguly’s home. A large crowd had gathered outside on the narrow road to see Amit Shah, who sat in the front seat and gave a namaste gesture to the onlookers. Mr Shah was later seen having dinner with Mr Ganguly and his family at the dining table.

Mr Ganguly, 49, told reporters that the dinner meeting should not be read as political. He claims to have known Amit Shah for more than a decade and has met with him several times.

“…We have a lot to discuss. He’s someone I’ve known 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 told reporters. “I collaborate with his son. It’s a long-standing connection “He continued.

Mr Ganguly smiled and replied, “What’s on the menu?” “…Will see when I get home. He eats only vegetables.”

This isn’t the first time Mr Ganguly has had to deny that his meeting with Amit Shah had any political overtones. Before the West Bengal assembly elections early last year, he had to clear the air about his meeting with Amit Shah even then, denying he would join the BJP. Mr. Ganguly’s possible joining of the BJP has been speculated about since 2015, and before every major election in Bengal. Mr Ganguly was reportedly in talks to join the BJP at the time, and there was a strong buzz of “Dada vs Didi” – a reference to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

It was widely reported in January of last year, three months before the Bengal assembly elections, that he was in talks with the BJP. The former cricketer suffered a mild heart attack in the same month. He has not responded to reports that he is considering entering politics.

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