Vadodara: A day after he shared the stage with Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi at a poll rally, cricketer Irfan Pathan today said nothing much should be read into it as he was an “apolitical” person and concentrating on his game.
“Neither do I have any connection to politics nor am I interested in it. I am a cricketer and currently recovering from an injury that I had suffered while playing for the home team of Baroda in Ranji Trophy tie,” he told PTI.
Eyebrows were raised after the 28-year-old all-rounder shared the dais with Modi in the BJP campaign rally at Kheda for the second phase polling due on December 17.
Polling for 87 Assembly seats was held in the first phase today.
BJP has been trying to woo minority community voters in the state though it has not fielded any Muslim candidate in the elections.
During the rally, Irfan was seen standing alongside the BJP stalwart on the huge stage.
Irfan, who belongs to Vadodara and has been forced out of cricketing action by an injury, waved his hands to a huge gathering of supporters, who had come to listen Modi`s speech.
In September 2011, Modi had launched `Sadbhavana Mission` for `peace and amity` and to appease minority community voters.
PTI
