Former cricketer Gautam Gambhir joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday, 22 March.
He joined the party in the presence of Union ministers Arun Jaitley and Ravi Shankar Prasad.
“I am inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for India. Will work to make India even better,” said Gambhir, joining the party. He added that he is “honoured” to get the opportunity to join the platform.
Jaitley, taking a jibe at the Congress party, said that Gambhir has been “aggressive” against Pakistan on field since his cricketing days and that he will not change his stance.
“Match is always won on the front foot and not the back foot,” Jaitley said.
Gambhir met BJP President Amit Shah, after joining the party.
Gambhir played a key role in India's triumph in the 2011 World Cup and the 2007 T-20 World Cup. He was also recently given the Padma Shri award.
BJP sources told PTI that Gambhir may be fielded from the New Delhi constituency, currently represented by the party’s Meenakshi Lekhi.
A final decision is yet to be taken though, they added.
If I Join Politics, Don’t Vote for Gautam the Cricketer: Gambhir
In an interview to The Quint, earlier in January, Gambhir said if he ever were to make a foray into politics, people should vote for him not because he was a cricketer, but only if they believe he can deliver.
“Honestly, I haven’t even thought about it. Plus, if ever there is a situation in life that I get into that space, don’t vote for Gautam Gambhir the cricketer, don’t vote for Gautam Gambhir the human either. Vote for Gautam Gambhir if you believe in him. If you believe he can change your life for the better and can make this country a better place to live. Vote for that Gambhir. Because if you don’t believe those things, don’t vote for him because I would never get into this space thinking I’m a power-hungry boy.”Gautam Gambhir
(With inputs from PTI)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)