Election 2019: Former Cricketer Gautam Gambhir joins BJP: India’s star cricketer Gautam Gambhir joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and may even be fielded from the New Delhi seat, replacing sitting MP Meenakshi Lekhi. Gambhir was inducted into the saffron party in the presence of Union ministers Arun Jaitley and Ravi Shankar Prasad on Friday morning. The development comes just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Gambhir said that he was inspired by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and vowed to serve the country and the party.

“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,” he said.

When Arun Jaitley was asked about fielding Gambhir from New Delhi Lok Sabha seat, he said that the party’s Central Election Committee will take a call.


There are reports that Gambhir will contest from the New Delhi Lok Sabha seat, replacing Meenakshi Lekhi. Lekhi had won from New Delhi constituency in 2014 by nearly 1.60 lakh votes, defeating Aam Aadmi Party’s Ashish Khetan who got 2.90 lakh votes. BJP, in the process, had gone on to win all seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi.

This time, the Aam Aadmi Party has fielded Brijesh Goyal, Chamber of Trade and Industry convenor from the New Delhi seat which is keenly watched because of high-profile candidates. Congress’ Ajay Maken had won from here in 2004 and 2009.

Delhi will go to polls in a single phase on May 12. The main contest will be between the BJP and Aam Aadmi Party of Arvind Kejriwal. The BJP had won all the seven seats in 2014.

This time, the AAP is seeking to oust the BJP and has launched a fiery campaign centered to the demand of full statehood to Delhi. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been addressing rallies seeking people support for AAP candidates.