The Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) is contemplating the possibility of nominating legendary cricketer Mohammed Shami from Bengal for the Lok Sabha polls, sources told an Indian media agency. Shami represents Bengal in the Ranji Trophy and continues to play domestic cricket for the state. Sources have said that the BJP leadership has reached out to Shami with the proposal. However, the cricketer is yet to make a decision.
Currently, Shami is on a break to recover from a recent ankle surgery. Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished him a speedy recovery after the pacer confirmed his surgery. Shami has not played cricket since India ODI (One Day International) World Cup Campaign, when he helped the team reach the finals by taking 24 wickets in seven matches at an average of 10.70 and strike rate of 12.20.
As far as his cricket is concerned, Shami is on the sidelines due to injury and missed home T-20 series against Afghanistan, Australia, and tour of South Africa. Last month, he underwent an Achilles Tendon surgery in the United Kingdom and is all set to miss the initial phase of Indian Premier League (IPL-2024).
Following the loss in World Cup Finals against Australia, PM Modi individually met all the players and consoled them. He praised Mohammed Shami for his sensational performance in the tournament and hugged the player. The video from the dressing room went viral. He also met Amit Shah. Apart from this the Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath had announced the construction of cricket stadium in Shami’s native village, Amroha.
According to BJP sources, Shami was proposed as a candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha Polls in West Bengal and discussions have been positive. Internal discussions with the BJP suggest that fielding Shami could assist the party in securing victories in minority dominated constituencies in Bengal.
The primary focus, according to BJP Sources is to field Shami from Basirhat Lok Sabha constituency which has been in the news after the Sandeshkhali village within its boundaries witnessed violence. Before Shami, his one-time Bengal team mates Manoj Tiwari and Ashok Dinda joined politics. While Tiwari joined the Trinamool Congress and is a Minister of State for Affairs of Sports and Youth, the former pacer Dinda is a member of West Bengal Legislative Assembly while representing BJP.
