Why Gautam Gambhir opted to quit politics and request BJP to release him from his duties

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Gautam Gambhir, the BJP from East Delhi, has requested party president JP Nadda to release him from his political duties ahead of the IPL 2024 season which is set to start from March 22.

Gambhir is set to serve as the mentor of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2024 after serving in the same capacity for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2022 and 2023. The former India opener has been roped in by the KKR who are looking for their first IPL title since 2014.

KKR have won both their IPL titles under the captaincy of Gautam Gambhir, and would be expecting to end their decade-long wait for the coveted trophy. Gambhir boasts of an impressive CV and under his mentorship, LSG qualified for playoffs in each of their first two seasons.

Why is Gautam Gambhir leaving BJP and politics?

Gambhir joined BJP in 2019 following his retirement from international cricket in December 2018. He soon become one of the most popular leaders in the party and won the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from East Delhi seat by a whopping margin of 6,95,109 votes.

The 42-year-old has been praised for his work in the constituency. His 'Jan Rasoi' initiative which serves meals to the needy for Rs 1 was also widely appreciated by many. The two-time World Cup-winning cricketer also installed first-of-its-kind giant air purifiers in his constituency.

However, Gambhir has been time and again criticised for being involved in commentary and coaching jobs despite being an active politician. Even his former India and Delhi teammate Virender Sehwag once took an indirect dig at him.

"I love being involved with cricket and commentating, and being a part-time MP whenever convenient is not something I ever aspire for," Sehwag had said while responding to a man who "thought" he should have been an MP before Gautam Gambhir.

Gambhir had clarified his involvement in cricket despite being an MP back in June 2022. The reply had gone viral, and many hailed him for his honesty.

“Why I commentate in IPL or work in it is because I spend INR 25 lakh (INR 2.5 million) every month to feed 5000 people. This translates to roughly 2.75 crore (INR 27.5 million) per year. I've also spent INR 25 lakh to build a library," Gambhir had said during a press conference.

“I spend all of this money from my own pocket and not from the MPLAD fund. The MPLAD fund doesn't run my kitchen or other things that I do. I don't have a tree in my house from where I can pluck money either.

"Only because I work, am I able to feed those 5000 people or establish that library. I have no shame in saying that I do commentary and work in the IPL. All of this that I do has an ultimate goal,” he had added.

Gautam Gambhir quits politics

With the Lok Sabha elections and IPL 2024 dates set to clash, Gambhir has now requested BJP to relieve him from his political duties.

“I have requested Hon’ble Party President @JPNadda ji to relieve me of my political duties so that I can focus on my upcoming cricket commitments. I sincerely thank Hon’ble PM @narendramodi ji and Hon’ble HM @AmitShah ji for giving me the opportunity to serve the people. Jai Hind!” Gambhir wrote on X on Saturday, March 2.

The decision has understandably been taken as Gambhir would not be able to actively participate in the demanding BJP election campaigns and rallies because of his cricket commitments. Most certainly, Gambhir found himself in a situation where he had to choose between cricket and politics, and he picked the job which has given him all the name and fame.