Which star cricketer BJP is banking on in Punjab after losing Sidhu to Congress
Amritsar, March 15, 2019: Come elections and political parties start wooing celebrities to encash their popularity for electoral gains. This is what the BJP is trying to do in the case of celebrity cricketer Harbhajan Singh fondly called Bhajji.
Reportedly, the BJP is in touch with Bhajji, who hails from Jalandhar, to win him over to its side and field him as its candidate from Amritsar parliamentary seat in the general elections 2019.
Even as his formal candidature is yet to be officially confirmed, it is interesting to draw parallel between him and another celebrity cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu, who was successfully wooed by the BJP’s national leadership to contest as its candidate from the same very seat in 2004 general elections.
After playing a long innings for the BJP as the party MP from Amritsar, Sidhu finally parted ways and joined the Congress before 2017 Punjab Assembly elections which he won and become minister in the incumbent state government under Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.
After Sidhu quit the BJP and defeat of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley from Amritsar seat in 2014 general elections at the hands of Captain Amrinder Singh with a heavy margin, the BJP is reportedly trying to field Bhajji as the party has failed to find a suitable local candidate having potential of winning this seat.
38-year-old former ace spinner Bhajji has confirmed in the report published by Hindustan Times that he has been approached by the BJP to become its candidate from Amritsar. However, there is no final word yet on this. He has been quoted in the report as saying that he was still unsure about joining the electoral fray as there was little time left for the preparations to contest.
Punjab is going to polls on May 19, 2019 in the 7-phase general elections.
Harbhajan Bhajji with PM Modi ( File Photo )
The BJP insiders were of the view that Bhajji, a celebrity Sikh cricketer, could be a suitable candidate to win the election from this important seat in Punjab given his popularity as a cricketer which may not be at par with Navjot Sidhu’s who also enjoys a huge reputation as a cricket commentator and TV shows host.
The BJP sees a chance in Bhajji especially after former PM Dr Manmohan Singh recently declined the state Congress leadership’s request to become the party candidate from Amritsar seat.