Kerala : Sreesanth ‘bowls’ for BJP

Cricketer Sreesanth is contesting in the Assembly Polls as a BJP candidate from Thiruvananthapuram  Constituency

BJP has fielded former Bharatiya team cricketer Sreesanth in Thiruvananthapuram constituency which is presently represented by health minister VS Shivakumar. Sreesanth who has been cleared by the court in a match-fixing case, is still an icon among the young generation. Therefore, Sree’s entry into the election fray has already served as a shot in the arm of the state BJP.  Some film stars have already come out as candidates and started their campaign. Malayalam matinee idol Suresh Gopi has already started his campaign for BJP. Even though Suresh has been asked by the party to contest, he opted to be the ‘star campaigner’ throughout the state for BJP.
It looks like, even though Sreeshanth is confined to his Thiruvananthapuram constituency, his very presence in the state election politics will create a pro BJP wave among the sports loving people and cricket fans. When the proposal came from BJP for Sree’s candidature, he went to the BJP HQ in Delhi and had talks with the senior leaders including party chief Amit Shah and JP Nadda, Union Minister in-charge of Kerala. There, he received the party membership through Nadda in the presence of Shah. He also met Ramlal, BJP’s national organising secretary.
Since Sree is a popular player in the national cricket team, the people of Kerala always hold deep love and affection for him whether he plays or not. Even though BCCI has not inducted him in the national team, even after the exoneration of the case, people of his state still love him. There are all smiles since he was cleared  by the court. They still hope that BCCI will include him in the team sans delay.
When people see Congress-led UDF candidates as the flag bearers of a corrupt government and CPM-led LDF candidates with the shadow of corruption charges and politics of violence, Sreesanth is a choice for them with his youthful and dynamic approach. Generally, youths of Kerala are for a change and BJP is the choice before them; now, when their icon is fighting for BJP victory, it definitely boosts their enthusiasm for BJP.        
T Satisan