Former World Cup winner and MP Gautam Gambhir requests ruling BJP to relieve him of political duties

Former World Cup winner and Member of Parliament of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Gautam Gambhir has requested the partytorelease him of political duties. Gambhir, a member of the 2007 T20 and 2011 ODI World Cup squad requested BJP President JP Nadda on Saturday (Mar 2) to to relieve him of his political responsibilitiesin order to focus on his cricketing commitments. Gambhir successfully contested the East Delhi seat in the 2019 general elections with a winning margin of 6,95,109 votes having joined the party in March of the same year.

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

Gautam Gambhir asks to stay away from political duties

“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!,” Gambhir wrote on his X handle.

His request to stay away from politics is a clear indication he will not contest the 2024 general elections to be held in a couple of momths.

Gambhir ahead of the 2019 general election joined the PM Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and successfully contested the East Delhi seat infirst attempt. However, the former cricketer was more in the news for his controversial statements and fights on the field than he has been in politics.

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Gambhir’s exit from the election frame could welcome the addition of Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar to the BJP-led NDA alliance. According to a few reports, the Bollywood actor could be handed the seat vacated by Gambhir in East Delhi. While these are still reports, the BJP intends to win all seven seats in the National Capital Territory (NCT) and would like to have a like-to-like replacement in terms of the fame surrounding Gambhir.

WhileGambhir is likely to return tofull time commentary and in the role of a mentorduring the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Last season he served as a mentor for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) who made it to the playoffs.

Gambhir's most memorable moment during the IPL has been his on-camera verbal spat with former India captain Virat Kohli during a game against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).