Gautam Gambhir begins his political innings, joins BJP in presence of Arun Jaitley

Gautam Gambhir, the noted cricketer who was conferred with Padmashri recently, joined the ruling BJP in presence of Union Ministers Arun Jaitley and Ravi Shankar Prasad in New Delhi on Friday. Gambhir, who retired from all forms of cricket during the Ranji Trophy encounter between Delhi and Hyderabad at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium on December 2018, is likely to make the announcement about his political inning in Delhi today.

“I am joining this party (BJP) after getting influenced by PM Narendra Modi's vision. I am honoured to get the opportunity to join this platform,” Gambhir said. “This is the right platform for me to do something good for the nation,” he added. On speculation about former Indian cricket team captain contesting from the New Delhi seat in the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections, Jaitley said that, “this question should be left to the party’s CEC. Let party leadership decide on how Gambhir can contribute.”

The buzz is strong that the left-handed batsman will reportedly contest the New Delhi Lok Sabha seat on the BJP's ticket. Gambhir has been vocal on plenty of issues ever since his retirement and he lashed out at the separatists in Kashmir during the Pulwama Terror attack which killed 40 CRPF jawans. “Yes, let’s talk with the separatists. Yes, let’s talk with Pakistan. But this time conversation can’t be on the table, it has to be in a battle ground. Enough is enough,” Gambhir said on his Twitter handle.

During his final international match, many players posed with Gambhir and the left-hander said at that time, “I have always been honest with DDCA and I wanted to finish my career here. There were times when I had the option to play in other states. Loyalty is something which is important to me. I thought that wherever I started, I wanted to end there.” When asked about his future in administration, Gambhir had given an epic reply. “Too straight forward a person to be in administration. I don't think people would accept me anywhere,” Gambhir said with his savage wit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded recently retired cricketer Gautam Gambhir for his contribution to the sport as well for his efforts to bring "positive difference in the lives of the lesser privileged". PM Modi made a special mention of the contribution made by Gambhir during India's triumphant campaign at the ICC World Twenty20 2007 and the ICC World Cup (50-over) in 2011.

"Let me begin by congratulating you for your stupendous contribution to Indian sports! India will always be grateful to you for you memorable performances, many of which resulted in historic victories for our nation," Modi wrote in the letter which was posted by Gambhir on his Twitter handle.

Gambhir thanked the PM for his kind words.

"Thanks @narendramodi @PMOIndia for the kind words. Nothing of this would have been possible without love and support of our fellow countrymen. All these deeds are dedicated to our country," he said in the same tweet posted along with the letter.