New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) Mohammed Azharuddin is livid over speculation that he was being made a "sacrificial goat" in Tonk-Sawai Madhopur constituency in Rajasthan after the former Indian cricket captain didn't want to return to Moradabad from where he had entered the Lok Sabha five years ago.
Azhar looked visibly unhappy when asked why he has been shifted from Moradabad, in Uttar Pradesh, to the twin towns of Tonk-Sawai Madhopur and said it was not that he wanted the shift, it was the party's decision.
"I am no sacrificial goat, I have no reason to leave Moradabad. I have done good work there, created infrastructure worth crores of rupees in the last five years. I have helped a lot of people get jobs and treated of serious ailments," Azhar told IANS in a chat.
"I was happy serving the Moradabad constituency and now the party wants me to shift to Tonk-Sawai Madhopur, I have accepted the offer," said Azhar.
"As a cricketer I should be prepared to bat on any type of pitch, I can't be asking for a flat batsman-friendly wicket all the time," he said.
A large number of visitors from the twin towns visited Azhar at his New Delhi residence Wednesday to express their support. Congratulating Azhar, some of them said they were happy their town had overnight become an important destination for the international media thanks to the former captain who will try to retain the seat Namo Narain Meena won for the Congress in 2009.
Meena, minister of state for finance in the Manmohan Singh government, has shifted to neighbouring Dausa, facilitating Azhar's move to a constituency where Muslims form a sizable number of voters.
"I will try my best to win the seat for my party. I am sure the party leadership must have picked me to serve the constituency and my job is to win it for the Congress," said Azhar even as he kept thanking enthusiastic party supporters from the two towns and talked to a large number of television channels.
Among those who visited Azhar were local Congress leaders, social wokers and well-known citizens. "I will assure you that I will try and get industrial houses to set up their units in the two towns so that the youth there do not have to go out in search of livelihood," Azhar told them.
Sawai Madhopur has traditionally been a Congress seat, the party winning it seven times. The Bharatiya Janata Party won it thrice and the Swatantra Party won it twice in the 1960s.
"I know it's a backward constituency and, if elected, I will strive to work for its development, particularly in the fields of educations and sports by creating opportunities for youngsters."
Asked about speculation that he was seriously looking for a safe seat in West Bengal and had even sought the Trinamool's help, Azhar denied this, saying most of these reports were "highly speculative without any basis. I can tell you no seat is safe for any party".
"I just want to clear the ongoing rumours about me joining other parties. To clarify, It's always been Congress and it will always be," he tweeted.
Over 80 percent turnout in Puducherry
Puducherry, April 24 (IANS) Polling for the lone Lok Sabha seat in Puducherry saw a heavy turnout with around 80 percent of the voters exercising their franchise, said the Election
South African pacer Steyn down with flu
Melbourne, Feb 18 (IANS) South African cricket team's pace spearhead Dale Steyn is down with flu that has forced him to miss his team's multiple training sessions.Steyn complained of a blocked
Russia-China poised to upset US dollar: Economist
Kolkata, Jan 21 (IANS) Global powers Russia and China are gearing up to push their currency in world trade to jolt the US dollar, considered to be the default currency unit for international
Russo-Ukraine War: Russia fires 30 phosphorus bombs on the city of Yunyakivka; Ukraine gets EU candidate status
The war between Russia and Ukraine continues even after 4 months. Ukraine has claimed that the Russian military used a banned phosphorus bomb on it. Ukraine said in a statement that the Russian
Ranchi 4.7 magnitude earthquake shook the land of Jamshedpur, people ran out of homes
Ranchi: Earth shook in the morning of Friday (June 5, 2020) in Jharkhand. Earthquake tremors were felt in Jamshedpur in the state. People came out of their homes as soon as they felt it. Its intensity
A small tablet of iodine will save from nuclear attack: America bought it for 2,388 crores, Biden said - the world is nearing the last war
On October 2, 2022, the US government announced the purchase of iodine medicine worth Rs 2,389 crore. For the first time in the history of America, so many iodine tablets have been purchased at the
Tiger 3: After seeing Salman's new look in 'Tiger 3', fans are desperate, demanding Katrina's look.
Bollywood's Bhaijaan i.e. Salman Khan is continuously in the headlines for his upcoming film 'Tiger 3'. Salman Khan has been in the news among fans ever since the teaser of his much-awaited film
Nitish Katara murder case: Delhi HC verdict on punishment Friday
New Delhi, Feb 5 (IANS) The Delhi High Court will Friday deliver its judgment on the punishment to be awarded to three convicts in Nitish Katara murder case.A special bench of Justice Gita Mittal
Despite majority claims, BJP scours for allies
New Delhi, May 11 (IANS) Even as its leaders claim that the BJP and its allies will get a majority in the Lok Sabha, the party seems to be looking for potential allies. BJP's prime ministerial
Kangana vs BMC Case: Kangana's case of breaking bungalow, Bombay High Court said - Target due to tweets and statements
Mumbai: Today, the Bombay High Court has given its verdict on the demolition of the Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut's Manikarnika bungalow at Bandra Pali Hill. The Bombay High Court, while delivering
