Is Dona Ganguly going to the Rajya Sabha?
Speculation is rife that Dona Ganguly, an accomplished Odissi dancer and the wife of former India captain and the current Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president, Sourav Ganguly, would be entering the Rajya Sabha as a President-nominated member.
The news has been circulating ever since Home Minister and top BJP leader Amit Shah met the Maharaja, as Sourav is widely referred to by fans, last Friday.
Though he has never said it, it is widely thought that Sourav has an inclination towards the BJP. In fact, his elevation to the post of the president of BCCI from the head of CAB is also linked to his closeness to the powers-that-be. However, it must be admitted that he has good relations with the Trinamool Congress as well, including with its chairperson, the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Until recently, two residents from Bengal were in the Rajya Sabha as nominated MPs—Swapan Dasgupta and Rupa Ganguly. However, both their terms have expired.
In such a situation, the Union government is thinking of sending at least one person from Bengal to the Rajya Sabha as a new member nominated by the President. And Dona Ganguly, the wife of Sourav Ganguly, is said to be uppermost on the list.
Amit Shah’s visit to Sourav’s house for dinner has further fuelled speculation. However, the BJP leadership does not want to open its mouth on this issue right now. At the same time, the BJP leadership is not ruling out the possibility either.
