New Delhi: In a unique show of harmony and shared purpose for the public interest, the often-divided atmosphere of India’s Parliament is set to be replaced by the friendly competition of a cricket match between the MPs of both houses of the parliament. On December 15th, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs will engage in a friendly contest at Delhi’s Major Dhyan Chand Stadium for a charity cricket match to raise awareness and support for drug-free and tuberculosis-free India.
The match, the brainchild of former Union Minister and MP Anurag Thakur, aims to beat the usual political divides for the social cause. It is envisioned as a unifying event, demonstrating the ability of lawmakers to come together for the benefit of crucial social causes, even amid the often-heated debates of parliamentary sessions.
The match will feature two teams, “Speaker 11,” representing the Lok Sabha, and “Chairman 11,” representing the Rajya Sabha. The lineup in both teams is a diverse mix of seasoned politicians and relative newcomers.
High-profile participation is confirmed from across the political spectrum, adding further weight to the event’s significance. Prominent figures include Congress’s Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav.
The Lok Sabha team, “Speaker 11,” will boast an impressive lineup including Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari, Minister of State for Rural Development Kamlesh Paswan and Congress MPs Gaurav Gogoi and Deependra Hooda. The addition of Trinamool Congress MP and former Indian cricketer Yusuf Pathan promises to inject professional expertise into the match.
The Rajya Sabha’s “Chairman 11” team will be equally competitive, featuring a blend of experienced and newer parliamentarians. Confirmed participants include RLD MP Jayant Chaudhary, BJP MP Milind Deora, Raghav Chaddha of the Aam Aadmi Party, Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien, JDU MP Sanjay Jha, and Congress MP Shaktisinh Gohil.
