New Delhi: Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif on Saturday congratulated Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their "spectacular victory" in assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Counting of votes in four states of UP, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur were conducted today. BJP emerged as single largest party in two key states UP and Uttarakhand, and also gained grounds in Manipur.
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Kaif, who contested as a Congress candidate in the 2015 Lok Sabha elections from Phulpur in UP, was one of the first sportspersons to congratulate the PM and BJP on their victory.
In UP, BJP returned to power after a gap of 14 years by winning 319 of the 403 assembly seats. Ruling Samajwadi Party, in alliance with Congress, managed only 54 seats. The 36-year-old termed BJP's UP victory as "massive".
Congratulations @BJP4India and @narendramodi ji for a spectacular victory in UP and Uttarakhand. UP victory is massive.#ElectionResults
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) March 11, 2017
In the niegbouring state of Uttarakhand, BJP humiliated ruling Congress by winning 57 of the 70 seats.
The cricketer also hailed his party for a great win in Punjab. He said, he is happy for Amarinder Singh, who helped the grand old party return to power. Congress won 77 seats, as against the rulling alliance of SAD and BJP's 18.
Congratulations @INCIndia for winning Punjab. A great happy birthday to @capt_amarinder ji. May you serve people in the best possible way
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) March 11, 2017
Kaif famously helped India win U-19 World Cup, and helped the national team win memorable matches. The 2002 Natwest Trophy final against England was one of the highlights of his career.
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He has played 13 Tests and 125 ODIs for Team India, scoring more than 3000 runs.
Kaif was recently hired as a assistant coach by Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Gujarat Lions for the upcoming 2017 edition of world's biggest T20 cricket tournament.
