Gautam Gambhir's successful debut in political innings

 | Updated: May 24, 2019, 10:42 AM IST

Gambhir, who retired from the cricketing world last year, made a successful debut in the political innings of his career by winning the Lok Sabha elections from East Delhi

Gautam Gambhir wins from East Delhi

Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir has won the Lok Sabha election 2019 from East Delhi seat. 

Gambhir, who retired from the cricketing world in December 2018, contested the election against Atishi of Aam Aadmi Party and Arvinder Singh Lovely Indian National Congress. 
 

(Photograph:PTI)

Gambhir's successful debut in political innings

Gambhir has made a successful debut in the political innings of his career.  

Gambhir, who was part of India's 2011 World Cup winning side, joined the BJP party in March, following in the footsteps of countless cricketers turning star power into political capital after retiring. 

He had joined the party in the presence of union ministers Arun Jaitley and Ravi Shankar Prasad. 

Gambhir was recently awarded the Padma Shri. 

(Photograph:IANS)

Controversial campaigning

After entering the political arena, Gambhir was at the centre of a controversy. 

He was accused of circulating pamphlets with derogatory and casteist remarks against AAP opponent Atishi. 

In reply to the accusation, Gambhir sent a defamation notice to Atishi, Kejriwal, and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, demanding an unconditional apology for making "defamatory" comments against him. 

(Photograph:AFP)

Support by fellow cricketers

On the controversy, former cricketer VVS Laxman and spinner Harbhajan Singh had came forward and offered their support to Gambhir. 

Laxman had tweeted, "Having known @GautamGambhir for nearly 2 decades, I can vouch for his integrity, character and the respect he has for women."

On the other hand, Harbhajan wrote "I know him well and he can never talk ill for any woman. Whether he wins or loses is another matter but the man is above all this."

(Photograph:PTI)
;

'Won’t fail people’s choice,' says Gambhir

When the results were out, Gambhir thanked the BJP party and promised that the party will not fail the mandate given by voters.  

He took a dig at his opponents and shared a witty tweet. 

His tweet read, "Neither it’s a ‘Lovely’ cover drive and nor it is an ‘आतिशी’ बल्लेबाज़ी। It’s just the BJP’s ‘गंभीर’ ideology which people have supported. Thanks a lot to all the @BJP4India and @BJP4Delhi team-mates for getting this mandate. We won’t fail people’s choice."

The former opening batsman was part of the 2007 T20 World Cup winning squad and played a key role in India's triumph in the 2011 World Cup. 

(Photograph:ANI)

Lotus will continue to bloom, says Gambhir

In another tweet, Gambhir wrote that AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal has lost his principles and will lose the Delhi elections as well.

He further added that lotus will continue to bloom amid the chaos created by AAP. 

(Photograph:ANI)

BJP won all seven seats in Delhi

BJP won all seven seats by huge margin in Delhi. 

Now they are confident of winning the Assembly election also. 

(Photograph:IANS)

NDA forms government

The Narendra Modi-led government will form a government for the next five years as the BJP alliance has registered victory in the majority of the seats. 

Inspired by the vision of Narendra Modi, Gambhir had said that he had done and whatever he could on the field of cricket and this was an opportunity for him to work for the country's welfare as a member of the party. 

(Photograph:ANI)