March 23, 2019
NEW DELHI: Former cricketer Gautam Gambhir joined the Bharatiya Janata Party
ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections on Friday in the presence of Union
Ministers Arun Jaitley and Ravi Shankar Prasad. He is likely to be fielded from
a Delhi constituency.
An awardee of Padma Shri, Gautam Gambhir claims that he has been influenced
by the ideas of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"Let's leave it to the country's Election Committee. For now we are happy he
joined the party," BJP leader Arun Jaitley, present at the announcement made
at the party office, said. He did not name the constituency for Gambhir.
Gautam Gambhir, 37, had announced his retirement from all forms of cricket
in December 2018. The Ranji Trophy played between Delhi and Andhra Pradesh was
his last match.
"The next Ranji trophy match against Andhra will be my last game in the sun.
It is all coming to an end from where it started at Feroz Shah Kotla... As a
batsman I have always valued timing. I know the time is just right and I am
sure it's sweet as well," Gambhir had said in a video announcement.
Speaking at BJP headquarters in Delhi, Gambhir said, "I thank the party for
giving me this opportunity. I am joining this party after being inspired by
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision. It's an opportunity for me to do something
for my countrymen. I look forward to doing my best."
It has been reported that he may be fielded from New Delhi constituency, represented
by party leader Meenakshi Lekhi.
He had been articulating his views on politics for quite some time on social
media. On the issue of famrer suicides, he blames political parties for their
inaction. He had recently joined issue with National Conference leader Omar
Abdullah on Kashmir terrorism.
