Cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir may not seek re-election from East Delhi Lok Sabha seat after he requested BJP president JP Nadda to relieve him of his political duties.
Gambhir, who retired from all forms of cricket in 2018, joined the BJP months before the 2019 general elections and defeated Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi in East Delhi.
The former cricketer’s move strengthens buzz that the BJP may deny tickets to its sitting MPs in the national capital where the party swept all seven seats in 2014 and 2019.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Gambhir cited his upcoming cricket commitments for the decision.
“I have requested Hon’ble Party President @JPNadda ji to relieve me of my political duties so that I can focus on my upcoming cricket commitments. I sincerely thank Hon’ble PM @narendramodi ji and Hon’ble HM @AmitShah ji for giving me the opportunity to serve the people. Jai Hind!” he posted.
I have requested Hon’ble Party President @JPNadda ji to relieve me of my political duties so that I can focus on my upcoming cricket commitments. I sincerely thank Hon’ble PM @narendramodi ji and Hon’ble HM @AmitShah ji for giving me the opportunity to serve the people. Jai Hind!— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) March 2, 2024
Gambhir’s decision comes days after the AAP pitted sitting Kondli MLA Kuldeep Kumar from the East Delhi seat. Kuldeep Kumar Monu belongs to the Scheduled Caste and yet the party has fielded him from an unreserved constituency, a step hailed by Delhi CM and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal as “revolutionary”.
As part of the INDIA alliance for the 2024 elections, the AAP will contest four seats while the Congress will field candidates in three Lok Sabha constituencies in Delhi.
Gambhir, who came under criticism for fulfilling his cricket commitments despite being an MP in the past, will mentor Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), a team he led from 2011 to 2017 in the Indian Premier League and won two titles in 2012 and 2014.
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