Vengsarkar denies reports of contesting LS polls

Dilip Vengsarkar set at rest speculations that he has been approached by political parties to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Former Indian cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar set at rest speculations that he has been approached by political parties to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections from the metropolis.

“I have not been approached by anyone or any political party. I have also not spoken to anyone,” said Vengsarkar,who had also assumed the post of Chief Selector.

His denial came after Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut reportedly said on Friday that the former cricketer would be the party’s candidate for Mumbai North Central constituency.

But this was soon contradicted by another Sena spokesperson Neelam Gore who reportedly said no such decision was taken.

Vengsarkar,who has played 116 Test matches for the country,is one of the two vice presidents of the Mumbai Cricket Association which is headed by NCP supremo Sharad Pawar.

Mumbai North Central is a prestigious constituency for Shiv Sena as it has traditionally been the party’s strong base.

In the last Lok Sabha elections in 2004,Sena lost the constituency when former Lok Sabha Speaker and ex-Maharashtra CM Manohar Joshi was defeated by Congress candidate Eknath Gaikwad.