‘Want to focus on cricket’: BJP MP Gambhir seeks relief from LS polls

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha MP from East Delhi, Gautam Gambhir, has formally requested party national president JP Nadda to relieve him of his political responsibilities.“I have requested Hon’ble Party President JP Nadda ji to relieve me of my political duties so that I can focus on my upcoming cricket commitments. I sincerely thank Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi ji and Hon’ble HM Amit Shah ji for giving me the opportunity to serve the people. Jai Hind!,” Gambhir said in a post on X on Saturday morning.

Gautam Gambhir, who transitioned from cricket to politics ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, secured victory from the East Delhi Lok Sabha seat with over 55% of the votes. While Gambhir's statement hints at a shift in priorities towards cricket, it remains uncertain if this indicates a complete withdrawal from political engagements.

The move also coincides with expectations within the Delhi BJP of an imminent release of the party's initial candidate list for the upcoming polls, potentially featuring new faces across the seven Lok Sabha constituencies in the capital. Currently, all seven Delhi seats are held by the BJP, with significant competition anticipated from the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress, who have announced plans for a joint campaign in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.