Azharuddin meets Meena leader

Jaipur, March 22 (IANS) Former Indian cricket captain and Congress candidate from Rajasthan's Tonk-Sawai Madhopur constituency Mohammad Azharuddin met Meena leader Kirorilal Meena at his residence here.

Meena a member of National People's Party is a MLA from Lalsot constituency and holds considerable sway among voters of the community and Tonk-Sawai Madhopur constituency has over three lakh such voters.

While Azharuddin and Meena tried to downplay the meeting. Political analysts view it as a big move by Azharuddin to attract voters of the community.

"It seems Azharuddin has tried to seek support from the Meena leader and if he is able to woo the voters of the community, then he will be a strong contender," said Ravi Goswami, a keen political watcher.

"Meena is good friend of mine. He is a tall leader. I came here to seek his guidance," Azharuddin told reporters Friday night after meeting Meena for over 20 minutes.

"Azhar is my friend and I will support him. We will try to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from the constituency," said Meena.

Meena an M.B.B.S. doctor by profession and was MP from Dausa constituency as an independent candidate before winning as an MLA in 2013 assembly elections from Lalsot constituency.

Azharuddin contested the Lok Sabha polls in 2009 from Moradabad constituency in Uttar Pradesh.

Union minister Namo Narain Meena won from Tonk-Sawai Madhopur constituency in 2009.

Voting in the Rajasthan will take place April 17 and 24. In 2009 elections, the Congress won 20 seats and the BJP four, while one seat was won by an independent candidate.