The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has reached out to the fast bowler Mohammed Shami, considering him as a potential candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The party is exploring the possibility of fielding Shami from the Basirhat Lok Sabha seat in West Bengal. While there is speculation surrounding Shami’s potential political debut, no official statement has been released on this matter.
According to reports, the BJP has initiated contact with Shami, expressing interest in having him contest from the Basirhat seat in Bengal. Currently represented by Nusrat Jahan of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), this constituency could see Shami, who plays domestic cricket for West Bengal, potentially influencing the Muslim vote bank in the region if he decides to enter politics.
The BJP recently unveiled its initial list of 195 candidates, with ongoing discussions for additional names. Shami’s inclusion might be considered in the second list. Additionally, there are rumors circulating about former Indian captain and Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) President Sourav Ganguly also making a foray into politics.
Sources suggest that Ganguly might contest the Lok Sabha elections on a Trinamool Congress ticket. West Bengal, with 42 Lok Sabha seats, witnessed the TMC securing 22 seats in the 2019 elections, while the BJP won 18 seats, and the Congress secured two seats. Speculations abound that the Congress and TMC might form an alliance, known as the ‘India’ alliance, for the upcoming elections.