Sourav Ganguly issues clarification, says he never contacted Yusuf Pathan on behalf of Mamata

Sourav Ganguly has issued a public clarification denying allegations that he acted as an intermediary between Mamata Banerjee and Baharampur MP Yusuf Pathan regarding the latter’s parliamentary seat. In a letter addressed to media organisations on June 6, 2026, Ganguly described the claims published in a newspaper report as incorrect and untrue.

According to Ganguly, the report alleged that he had approached Yusuf Pathan on behalf of Mamata Banerjee and conveyed a message asking him to resign from his Lok Sabha seat so that Banerjee could contest a future by-election from the Baharampur constituency. The report further claimed that Pathan was unwilling to accept the proposal.

Ganguly stated that the allegations concerning him were entirely false. He urged media organisations not to rely on rumours and speculation without verifying facts and said it was unfortunate that the claims were published without checking their accuracy. He added that the allegations were made in reckless disregard of the truth.

In his clarification, Ganguly said he was never requested or instructed by Mamata Banerjee to convey any message to Yusuf Pathan, whether regarding resignation from his parliamentary seat or any other matter. He stated that no such communication was ever initiated by him.

Ganguly further said that since he had never contacted Pathan with any request or message, the question of any response from the MP, as described in the report, did not arise. He also stated that he has never been involved in political matters with any of the individuals mentioned in the report.