With Gautam Gambhir's name already in the air as the next candidate to contest in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), now another name from the Indian cricket team is being buzzed and linked with the BJP. To much surprise and awe of everybody, former Indian captain and wicket-keeper-batsman MS Dhoni are rumoured to be in talks with Dhoni to contest polls from Jharkhand.
Although Gambhir currently is not playing for the national team since November 2016, he is vested with captainship of Delhi and was seen in fine form in the final of the recently-concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy 2018. Gambhir has, however, not announced his official retirement from the competitive cricket. But he has often been rumoured to enter politics for the massive fan following he enjoys across the nation.
This is also being leaked that BJP is likely to replace Meenakshi Lekhi. Meenakshi is a Member of Parliament from Delhi with Gambhir. A senior BJP leader, while speaking to the media, said, “Reports from the ground about Meenakshi Lekhi are not good. People from her constituency are not happy with her work and the party leadership has decided that she will not be repeated this time as a candidate from New Delhi. Gautam Gambhir, in most likelihood, will be the party’s candidate from the same seat. He has wide acceptability and is known for his social work. He is a Delhiite and will do his best for the people of Delhi."
The same BJP leader, also mentioning the probability of Dhoni joining the party, says, "Both players have wide acceptability, respect, and credibility across the country and are regarded as leaders by all sections of society. They are not only leaders from their respective states but also leaders of the country. Dhoni is currently the captain of the Chennai Super Kings team playing at the IPL (Indian Premier League) and thus has reach and mass base even in the southern parts of India. Both these players joining the party will be an asset for us.”