On a different wicket,cricket still scores

Candidates being weighed in laddoos or coins is a popular gimmick during the election season.

Candidates being weighed in laddoos or coins is a popular gimmick during the election season. Making his poll debut in Delhi,BJPs Chetan Chauhan chose to play a different stroke. He was weighed against what most people associate him with cricket balls. The venue too was close to his heart,a park right opposite the Feroze Shah Kotla stadium.

On a rusty beam balance strung from a tree,his neck weighed down with marigold garlands,Chauhan sat with a broad smile facing hundreds of cricket balls on the other end of the scale.

Children from various cricket clubs in trans-Yamuna area in their bright jerseys mobbed him for an autograph. Once a cricketer,always a cricketer.

The children showed their love towards me as I am a cricketer, he said.

The game has worked to his advantage throughout his campaign. I meet a lot of children and cricket enthusiasts. They take autographs and click pictures with me. Because of cricket,everyone knows me and I do not have to go the extra mile to introduce myself, he said.

Chauhan also played with children and faked a few shots for the cameras. He mentioned that he was missing out on the IPL because of his hectic schedule. I get home around midnight. I miss most of the action, he said.

On the inauguration of the Yamuna Bank Metro station on Friday,Chauhan said the Congress was doing all this with an eye on the polls.

Story continues below this ad

I have a feeling the station was inaugurated because of the elections. Since it is a service to the people,I will not say anything against it. It is for the Election Commission to take note of such events, he said.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram