BJP MP Jayant Sinha on Saturday urged party president JP Nadda to relieve him from direct electoral duties, an indication that he does not want to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

He made the request just hours after BJP leader Gautam Gambhir announced a similar move.

Sinha said he wanted to focus his attention on combating climate change.

"I have requested Hon’ble Party President Shri @JPNadda ji to relieve me of my direct electoral duties so that I can focus my efforts on combating global climate change in Bharat and around the world. Of course, I will continue to work with the party on economic and governance issues," he posted on X.

He said: "I have had the privilege of serving the people of Bharat and Hazaribagh for the past ten years. Moreover, I have been blessed by the many opportunities provided by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, Hon’ble Home Minister Shri @AmitShah ji, and the BJP leadership. My sincerest gratitude to all of them. Jai Hind!"

Gautam Gambhir wishes to quit politics

Cricketer-turned Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Gautam Gambhir has wished to quit politics requesting his party's national president Jagat Prakash Nadda to relieve him of political duties, just weeks ahead of the commencement of the Lok Sabha elections.

Gambhir posted on X, "I have requested Hon’ble Party President @JPNadda ji to relieve me of my political duties so that I can focus on my upcoming cricket commitments.

"I sincerely thank Hon’ble PM @narendramodi ji and Hon’ble HM @AmitShah ji for giving me the opportunity to serve the people. Jai Hind!"

Gambhir, who retired from all forms of cricket in 2018, was elected to the Lok Sabha a year later from the East Delhi constituency of Delhi.

In his cricketing arena, Gambhir has made a comeback in Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the team which won the title twice under his captaincy.

Gambhir returned to KKR as a mentor for the upcoming season, which will begin on March 22.