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.
Mukul Roy Missing: Senior TMC leader Mukul Roy missing, the son said - unable to contact father
The family of senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mukul Roy claimed that he was missing since late Monday evening. His son Shubhranshu Roy gave this information. He told the news agency PTI that
Delhi Police ask religious places to step up security (Lead)
New Delhi, Jan 7 (IANS) Delhi Police Wednesday asked the management of all religious places to step up security for fear of possible terror attacks.A month after a church was gutted in east Delhi's
Know- what is PM Gatishakti National Scheme and what is its scope, how will be a participant in the progress of the country
The Gati Shakti National Master Plan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday will prove to be a new impetus for the country's economy. This is a digital platform through which about 16
After Faizal Siddiqui, brother Aamir Siddiqui's TikTok account suspended, CarryMinati fiercely roasted
After Faizal Siddiqui, Tiktok star Aamir Siddiqui's account has been suspended. Aamir Siddiqui had 3.8 million followers. Now casting director Noor Siddiqui has filed a police complaint that Aamir
Thala Ajith's craze: 'Valimai' shows at 4 a.m. also Housefull, celebrations celebrated in theaters all night, so many fans gathered that traffic had to be diverted from the streets
South's superstar Ajith Kumar starrer 'Valimai' has been released in theaters across the world on Thursday (February 24). This action-drama film is getting a tremendous response from fans and critics.
JEE Main Exam Dates 2022: Changes in the dates of JEE Main Phase I, now the exam will start from April 21
A major change has been made in the dates of JEE Main 2022, one of the biggest entrance examinations in the country, for admission to engineering courses. NTA i.e. National Testing Agency has changed
Bihar: Amit Shah on target of Mujahideen, SIMI, and Naxalites, high alert issued before Bihar visit
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah will be visiting the state on February 25. There will be tight security in Patna and West Champaran regarding Amit Shah's visit. The administration has
Corona Vaccine: Can BCG Vaccine Protect From Corona Viruses?
Scientists in Britain have started a test to see if the corona infected can be saved with the help of the BCG vaccine.
New strains of Corona surfaced in South Africa and Nigeria after UK; Know what will be the effect on the vaccine
Another new strain of coronavirus has been found. New strain means a new form of corona. Just a few days ago it was found in the UK and now these new strains have come out in Nigeria along with South
IND vs ENG: 'Both played freely...', after playing a match-winning innings, Abhishek revealed the secret, told how he was successful
India's young T20 star opener Abhishek Sharma praised Gautam Gambhir after the hosts defeated England by seven wickets here on Wednesday. As far as traditional formats are concerned, Gambhir's
