Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag on Wednesday campaigned for Congress party candidate Anirudh Chaudhary in Haryana, which is set to hold elections on 5 October. The results for the state assembly will be announced on 8 October.
In a video, which is going viral on X, Sehwag expressed his support for Chaudhary, referring to him as his "elder brother." Anirudh Chaudhary, 48, is the son of former BCCI president Ranbir Mahendra and the grandson of former Haryana chief minister Bansi Lal. He faces a challenging battle against his cousin, Shruti Choudhary, who is contesting as the BJP candidate from Tosham.
Sehwag urged voters to support Chaudhary, stating, "I consider him (Anirudh Chaudhary) as my elder brother, and his father (Ranbir Singh Mahendra) – who also served as (BCCI) president – had also supported me a lot. This is one of the most important days for him, and I feel I would be able to help him. I urge the people of Tosham to help Anirudh Chaudhary win."
ELECTION BREAKING 🚨Former Cricketer Virender Sehwag bats for Congress: 'press Congress button on 5th October'.CONGRESS 🔥 pic.twitter.com/h3AcVoCi49
— Saibpal Pandit (@PanditSaibpal) October 2, 2024
Meanwhile, Chaudhary exuded confidence about his prospects in the election, launching a critique of the incumbent BJP government. According to Hindustan Times, Chaudhary remarked, "I am cent per cent sure that Congress will emerge victorious because the current (BJP) government has failed to solve the problems faced by farmers. There's a huge water crisis here, but the government has also failed to solve this issue. Development has not taken place here, and I want to solve all these issues."
Who is Anirudh Chaudhary?
Anirudh Chaudhary, 48, is gearing up for a challenging election battle in Tosham as he contests for the Congress party. The son of former BCCI president Ranbir Mahendra and the grandson of four-time Haryana chief minister Bansi Lal, Chaudhary is pitted against his cousin, Shruti Choudhry, who is representing the BJP.
Both candidates, aged 48, are part of a prominent political family in Haryana, with their rivalry adding a personal dimension to the contest. Shruti Choudhry is the daughter of Bansi Lal’s younger son, Surender Singh, further entrenching the familial ties in this high-stakes political fight. As the elections approach, the dynamics of this family rivalry are expected to play a significant role in shaping voter sentiment in Tosham.
How Netizens Reacted?
One user wrote on X, "That's a surprising endorsement! Virender Sehwag's support for Congress could bring a new wave of attention to the party. It's always interesting to see sports figures get involved in politics! Let’s see how this impacts the election!"
Another user said, "He (Sehwag) did not mention once about Congress or Hand (Panja)."