Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag took a veiled dig at his former teammate Gautam Gambhir, without naming him, when he was asked on social media about his thoughts on joining politics.
Notably, Gautam Gambhir joined the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) in 2019 and defeated AAP’s Atishi Marlena and Congress’ Arvinder Singh Lovely in the 2019 general elections to become a Member of Parliament from East Delhi.
But apart from being an MP, Gambhir has continued with various assignments on the cricketing field as well. He has been playing in Master’s T20 tournaments and also doing commentary in various tournaments. Gambhir is also the mentor of IPL franchise Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
Virender Sehwag, his former India and Delhi teammate, holds opposing views as to Gambhir on joining politics. On social media platform X, Sehwag shared his thoughts on joining politics.
“I am not at all interested in politics. Have been approached by both major parties in the last two elections. My view is that most entertainers or sportsmen should not enter politics as most are there for their ego and hunger for power and barely spare genuine time for people, Few are exceptions but generally, most only do PR. I love being involved with cricket and commentating and being a part-time MP whenever convenient is not something I ever aspire for,” Sehwag revealed.
Sehwag had stirred a hornet’s nest when he appealed to BCCI secretary Jay Shah that the name of the national cricket team should be changed from India to Bharat, which is the original name of the country.
He said that he found it funny that people thought his desire for his nation to be called Bharat was a political thing. Sehwag added that his only desire is to see his country being called Bharat and also mentioned that many were found to be insecure about the word ‘Bharat’.
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“Funny when people think having a desire that our nation be addressed as Bharat is viewed as a political thing.
I am no fan of any particular political party. There are good people in both national parties and there are also very many incompetent people in both parties. I once again reaffirm I have never had, nor have any political aspirations. If I did have any, would have gladly accepted the last two LS elections from both parties. And if I had to , on-field achievements were enough to get a ticket from either party. Speaking heart out is different from political aspiration. My only interest is “Bharat”.
As for the United Opposition calling themselves I.N.D.I.A, they can very well call themselves B.H.A.R.A.T, there are very many creative people who can suggest apt full forms for the same. Congress even had a yatra called the Bharat Jodo Yatra. Unfortunately, many people feel insecure about the word “Bharat”. In my view, irrespective of the alliance name, elections will be labelled between Modi vs the leader of the opposition. May the best win.
It will just give me a great deal of satisfaction and fulfillment if we are addressed as a nation by the name “Bharat,” Sehwag posted.
