Ganguly, a victim of ''politics'': WB Minister

Kolkata, Jan 13 (PTI) Former Team India captain SouravGanguly, who found no takers at the recent IPL IV auction, wasa victim of "dirty politics", a West Bengal minister todaysaid.

"Dirty politics played was by the private players duringthe two-day IPL player auction in Bangalore'' recently," UrbanDevelopment Minister Asok Bhattacharya alleged.

"It''s most unfair for a player of Sourav''s stature.

Throughout his career he had been a victim of conspiracy,otherwise he could have turned up for another couple of yearsfor the country," the minister said.

"Has ''dada'', my most favourite cricketer, not been themost successful Indian cricket captain till date?" theminister, who enjoys personal rapport with the former KolkataKnight Riders icon, asked.

Ganguly, who captained KKR in the inaugural and 2009season, was completely ignored in two rounds of players''auction for the fourth edition starting April 8.

KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan yesterday said leavingout Ganguly from the team was a decision taken by the"cricketing brains" of the franchise and not by him.