BJP approaches Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble for upcoming Karnataka Elections

The ongoing drama surrounding the Karnataka State Elections just spilled into sports as latest reports now seem to suggest that the BJP Government tried fielding two of India's cricketing icons in an effort to mount a strong challenge against the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government. Assembly polls are due to be held on May 12 and reports now suggest that, in order to mount a strong challenge against the Congress, the BJP faction had tried approaching Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble- two Karnataka born Indian cricketers who they had hoped to strengthen their field with. According to a report in

The Print, the move was taken by the BJP in order to galvanise young voters to swing them in their favour. Reportedly, several rounds of talks were also held with a similar goal in mind but they all went futile as both Rahul and Kumble decided to keep away. The two have always resolutely stayed away from politics but, reportedly, that will not stop the party from putting all their efforts into wooing them to their cause. 'Talks are still on. At least one of them desires to be fielded for the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. We have not lost all hope yet,' said a source to The Print. Also read: Case against Karnataka Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs over announcement of prize money for Gururaja Poojary

The report continued with the claim that there was one was offered a ticket to contest in the State Assembly Polls, while the other would be fielded at the Centre. Both Kumble and Dravid have declined the offer and reinstated their intentions to not jump into politics. The two have had quite a career after giving up playing internationally for India. While Rahul Dravid has turned to coaching and mentoring young athletes, most notably and recently the World Cup winning U19 team, Anil Kumble has, instead, turned his efforts into becoming a sports management businessman and a cricket administration.