Kolkata, Jan 22: Former captain of Indian cricket team, Sourav Ganguly, is likely to join the Bhartiya Janata Party. As per reports the former cricketer is in talks with senior BJP leaders in West Bengal.

The 42-year-old Ganguly is the second most successful Indian captain in history and enjoys a massive fan following in the state. He represented India in 113 Test matches and 311 One Day Internationals (ODI) and helped India reach 2003 ICC World Cup Final. At present he's the Joint Secretary of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB).

Ganguly's popularity in the state of West Bengal might be a reason for the BJP to associate him with the party to strengthen its hold in chief minister Mamata Banerjee's stronghold.

Earlier last week, West Bengal minister Manjul Krishna Thakur quit and joined the BJP. Calling Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee "unprincipled" and the party (TMC) unfit for any "good and educated person".

Thakur, who held the refugee, relief and rehabilitation portfolio in the Banerjee cabinet, joined the BJP along with his son and panchayat functionary Subrata Thakur.

If Ganguly joins the BJP it will be a major boost to the party which is constantly gaining grounds in the state which is Mamata's bastion.

OneIndia News