Will quit eating 'jalebi', if it increases Delhi air pollution: BJP MP Gautam Gambhir

Days after BJP MP Gautam Gambhir was trolled brutally on Twitter for enjoying 'jalebis' and 'poha' in Indore while commentating on the India vs Bangladesh Test match instead of attending the Parliamentary Standing Committee of Urban Development meeting over air pollution in Delhi the former cricketer lashed out at a reporter on being asked on skipping the meeting.

Defending himself the MP said, "If eating jalebi increases pollution in Delhi, I am ready to stop eating it forever," the MP said.

I was trolled within 10 minutes for the jalebi eating photo. If they spend so much time controlling Delhi's pollution, then we would be able to breathe pure air," Gambhir said.

Earlier in the day, MP Gambhir broke his silence on missing the Parliamentary Standing Committee of Urban Development meeting and said I know the meeting was very important but he was contractually bound.

"I had signed the contract in January and I joined politics in April. Due to contractual obligations, I had to go for the commentary. On November 11, I received the mail and on the same day, I had informed them the reason for not attending the meeting," the BJP MP added.

Notably, a high-level Parliamentary panel meeting called to discuss the prevailing air pollution in Delhi was canceled as several MPs, including Gambhir, and top officials skipped it.

The meeting, which was called by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Urban Development, was attended by only four MPs out of 29 law makers and few government officials.

Later, the Delhi East MP was heavily trolled on Twitter after former cricketer VVS Laxman posted a photo of the two of them eating jalebis and poha in Indore on the same day.

On Sunday 'missing' posters of Gambhir surfaced in Delhi's ITO area.

"Lost. Have you seen this person? He was last seen eating jalebis in Indore. The entire Delhi is looking for him," the message, along with a picture of Gambhir, read.

These posters cropped up after 38-year-old Gambhir had skipped the Parliamentary Standing Committee of Urban Development meeting, over air pollution in the national capital on November 15. The meeting was ultimately called off as MPs and bureaucrats were absent.

The AAP criticized the former cricket star for not attending the meeting, saying he was "busy enjoying" in Indore, at a time when Delhi is reeling under severe air pollution levels. Party leader Atishi made a scathing attack on Gambhir.

"A week is a long time in politics, but not for @GautamGambhir who clearly needs more time to get out of his primary commitment - cricket. He was notified of the Committee on Urban Devt meet on air pollution exactly one week ago. Very unfortunate that the Hon MP couldn't make time," she had tweeted.

This came after photographs of Gambhir along with his former teammate VVS Laxman and TV presenter Jatin Sapru had surfaced on social media, where the trio was seen relishing jalebis in Indore, the venue of the first Test match between India and Bangladesh.
(With Agency Inputs)

Also Read: 'Bound By Contracts': Gautam Gambhir breaks silence on 'skipping' crucial meet on Delhi