The Cricket pitch is where one reaches the zenith of career, earning name, fame and money. On the other hand the pitch of politics is always a challenging one, where one has to deal with people from different section of the society, thus sometimes earning bad name. Laxmi Ratan Shukla is a known name in the Cricket circuit; the former captain of the Bengal team is a right-handed middle-order batsman and a right-arm medium-pace bowler. He represented Bengal Cricket Team and also played in IPL as a member of Delhi Daredevils. On 30 December 2015 he announced his retirement from all forms of cricket to work for the people, finally joining politics. As the Assembly election in Bengal He is a Candidate on Trinamool Congress ticket contesting the assembly seat of Howrah North. Joydeep Das Gupta spoke to Laxmi Ratan Shukla; following are the excerpts of the Interview in details

Q What inspired you to join politics?

My only motivation for joining politics is our respected Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The way she fought for the people for last 30-40 years and finally came to power is an inspiration. The way she single handedly transformed the social thinking of the people is where I draw my inspiration for joining politics. After retiring from cricket, I wanted to do something for people. I had easy options like, join the team as Coach or can do commentary, but I rather opted for the difficult option and choose to work for the people.

 

Q Why not sports politics, why mainstream politics?

In sports politics you will be in limelight no doubt but you can’t directly do anything for the people. It was rather what I have said is an easy option. I am very small man and there fore choose the tough option, so that I can do something for the people, for the people of North Howrah, for the people of Bengal and this is the main aim of my life now.

Q Now that you are a candidate for the assembly election in Bengal. Five keys issues, which you take as priority in your constituency? 

Here in my constituency there is a large base of people from Hindi heartland of India. There are many youths but there is no single Hindi college, but after coming to power respected Mamata Banerjee has initiated a Girls college, very soon the college will start working. I wanted to initiate a Hospital project, though there are many hospitals but I want a hospital with all facilities. A Sports academy, drainage and traffic in Howrah has improved to a large extend, but will try to improve more. The social improvement of the people after Mamata Banerjee came to power. I want our future generation to grow in broader way.

 

Q You are now fully into public life, do you feel any difference of your life before and after politics, If so, how? 

I am never very much selfish with my life, before also people and cricket lovers use to expect that Laxmi Ratan Shukla will play well for Bengal and now again though I am in different field, the expectation of people are very high upon me. Therefore I will say both the fields are important for me for people have their trust on me.

 

Q From a successful Cricketer, leading the Bengal Team to a politician now, how to you see your journey and the experience to help you in future course of time?

Earlier when I use to score 4’s and 6’s in the field people in the audience would cheer for me, now I am on the other side and I have to ensure my people to scoring 4’s and 6’s and are happy in their life. I want people to be happy and contended. Public score 4’s and 6’s, public be the Man of the Match, public be the Man of the series is all that I want now. Now I am neither a celebrity nor a cricketer, I am a common man, I am a Mamata Banerjee’s man, I am a peoples man. I want people to be my captain and not me.

 

Q You led the Bengal team successfully during Vijay Hazare Trophy 2013 and playing in IPL for Delhi Dare Devils. The experience in Cricket pitch how will come handy in the political pitch, which is often regarded as dirty game, From gentle mans game to dirty game?

I always found cricket and politics are very similar, both have team strategy and both the field has winning side. I have played for IPL, India and Bengal team, which everyone knows. This year I have withdrawed from IPL and have came to a field, where there is same pitch and I’ll answer every single ball thrown on me. No pitch is easy for anyone. You never know, anything can happen in Cricket and in life. In cricket and in Life you wont get another opportunity, though in Soccer people get second opportunity.

If we think politics is a dirty game, then we have to come to change this notion. Sitting outside it is easy to criticize, but we never jumped into it to solve the problems and this is also one of my motives behind joining politics. Many people said to me you have an easy and successful life ahead, why you joined politics. I told them clearly that I have come here for the people and I don’t want an easy life.

 

Q Politics is not new to you, even in Cricket, you have faced politics, when your name was dropped for Ashish Nehra in the first test against Sri Lanka in Asia Test Championship, even after your name appeared in 11 member squad, How will you define the politics in cricket field and that of political field?

I never got an easy pitch in my life. Ashish Nehra no doubt is a good bowler but I never got a fair opportunity in cricket pitch. I never got easy pitch in the Indian Team. Though I successfully led the Bengal team and have played many successful matches. I don’t want to share my sadness, I am happy with my life and I have taken this decision to do something for my own people, for the people of North Howrah, for the people of Bengal.

 

Q You are very hardworking and dedicated and now during elections, you are working very hard, Now what is your daily schedule?

I have maintained the same schedule to rise early and work hard till night. The only difference now is I am meeting and interacting with my people directly reaching out their homes. I eat rice three times a day and maintain normal diet. Positive thought is what I believe is important and with the support of family and friends I am going ahead with positivity.

 

Q You represent youth, with youthful and vibrant ideas. Your advice to those educated and sensible youths who want to join politics? 

Please come forward, we always criticize from outside. West Bengal is a very beautiful place I have taken birth like every other ordinary people in Howrah. I am a proud Bengali. I want to say that every youth should come forward and take decision. If we cant take decision, the future of the nation will go wrong. People have to take decision. Our very basis is truth. A building can’t stand for long until and unless it is standing on a firm and truthful base.

 

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