AFP
New Delhi, Feb 20: Former India cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin, who was forced to quit the game after a match-fixing scandal, entered the country's turbulent political scene on Thursday.
Azharuddin, 46, was paraded for the media at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi after joining the ruling party ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections.
But Congress spokesman Veerappa Moily refused to confirm if the Hyderabad-based Azharuddin would contest polls expected in April-May.
"I've known him for 25 years and he expressed his desire to join the Congress," Moily said.
"I took up this matter with the Congress president (Sonia Gandhi), who has agreed to admit him into the party.
"He is joining the party unconditionally. Whether he will contest for the Lok Sabha (lower house) elections will be discussed later."
Azharuddin said he was delighted to sign up with Congress -- a party he said he "admired a lot" -- but sidestepped questions on standing for elections.
"I am not the captain here, just a player, and will do anything the party asks me to do," he said.
"The Congress has done so much for the country since the freedom movement. I wanted to give something back to the nation and the best way was to serve the people.
"I know I am capable of helping the party and the nation. I will do my best."
Azharuddin was banned from cricket for life by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2000 after he was named in a match-fixing probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation.
Azharuddin, who played 99 Tests and 334 one-day internationals, took the BCCI to court over the ban and is awaiting a final verdict.
Moily said the Congress party was not worried about Azharuddin's tainted past.
"There is no criminal case against Azhar," he said. "If there is a case at all, then it is between the BCCI and him, which has been filed by Azhar himself against the ban.
"Remember, he served Indian cricket for 16 years with distinction and was one of the best captains."
Comment on this article
arvind k, Kuwait
Sun, Mar 01 2009I dont agree with you. as there are candidate like Novjot Singh Sidhu How has Murder and he can be Elected MP, Then whats wrong with him. and there are various example, Sanjay Dutt is also one of them.
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ABDUL MAJEED, mangalore/MALAR KODI
Sun, Feb 22 2009BEST OF LUCK AZAR ..HAVE A GREAT FUTURE.
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naveen, manglore/ dubai
Sat, Feb 21 2009all the best Azhar
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Wenzel, Mangalore
Sat, Feb 21 2009INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY Lets wait and see the outcome of the court case. We wish Azhar a good second innings in Politics.
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Dusty R., India
Sat, Feb 21 2009Graft tainted Azharuddin enters political fray.Join congress. Since, his charges are less serious than other ministers, I guess, he is a ideal bait for the congress to get the Muslim votes. Now it is for the Mulims to decide how good he will work for them, instead of saying later on that they are being used only as the vote bank
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ansar, mangalore
Sat, Feb 21 2009azhar is everyones favorite. all the best.
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smash, mangalore
Sat, Feb 21 2009Wish u a bright future in politics.
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Suresh, Udupi/Muscat
Fri, Feb 20 2009Dear Azar, Welcome to the 'Politics', to describe the process so well : "Poli" in Latin meaning 'many' and "tics' meaning 'bloodsucking creatures'. Good Luck in Poli tics. Suresh Shetty, Udupi/Muscat
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haneef, mangalore
Fri, Feb 20 2009all the best azar,you are the best plyar was in india teem insha allha have a bright future in politics
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IMRAN, AL JUBAIL-MANGALORE
Fri, Feb 20 2009Do not comment, without proof, Mr. Azaruddin deserve this opportunity and achieved it, dear Mathew you should beaware that there is no criminal case against Azaruddin in any judicial court of India. First of all we should think and proud of Azaruddin because he served our nation as a cricket team captain and in his performance he made all of us proud. All the Best Azarudddin do the best for our country as u done before. Chakde India.
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Calvin, Mangalore
Fri, Feb 20 2009Firstly Azaruddin coming into politics is a good sign. A new face which is very much required in this present situation. He might have been a failure in his cricketing life but it need not be the same in his political life as well. Instead of wishing him success don't dicourage him. He feels he can do his duty in the form of a politician. As for Congrees initiating corruption, other parties are not lagging too. BJP tops the corruption list, so what do you have to say about that. Anyways Azharuddin All the best for your future as a politician. An ardent cricket fan of yours, Calvin
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Ravi, Mangalore
Fri, Feb 20 2009Mr.Thilak, Mathew I dont agree with ur comments..Don't see each and everyone in the same way..Sometimes a minor incident will change ur whole world..But God Has given Azhar second chance to prove himself..Hope he will do good for country..My wishes are with him..God Bless him..
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Mohd. Ashfaq, Mangalre (Riyadh-JF)
Sat, Feb 21 2009Congratulation & Wish u all the best in your SECOND INNINGS
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Mohd. Ashfaq, Mangalre (Riyadh-JF)
Fri, Feb 20 2009Congratulation & Wish u all the best in your SECOND INNINGS
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Harold D'cunha, Mangalore, India
Sat, Feb 21 2009Well said Tilak Shetty. Fully agree with your views.
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Mathew, Surathkal/Muscat
Sat, Feb 21 2009It is unfortunate that the heinous crime committed is almost forgotten by all except a few! This is the Indian political disaster! Politics is the ideal place for Azher Bahi to be in where he can mint money!! Mathew, Surathkal/Muscat
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ramdas, Mangalore
Sat, Feb 21 2009The most corrupt player to ever grace the indian cricket team will be a welcome addition to the congress party which institutionalised corruption in India
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Thilak Shetty, Dubai, Mangalore
Fri, Feb 20 2009An ideal candidate for present day politics. No need to teach him the curruption lessons because he is well versed in money making tricks through mastering match fixing skills. Anyway take case Azhar while contesting in elections, you know very well what happened to your match fixing partner Manoj Prabhakar in last election. Voters thrashed him & he couldn't save his election deposite.
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abdul razak madau, arikkila
Fri, Feb 20 2009HAI AZARUDDIN WISH YOU ALL THA BEST YOU HAVE GOOD FUTURE IN POLITICS GOD BLESS YOU
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ABDUL HAKEEM K S, NEKKARE/K S A
Fri, Feb 20 2009Best of luck Ajju bhai, gud decision and it is correct time you are entring politics. We all are with you bhayya.success will part of life.
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Naveen Noronha, Mangalore
Fri, Feb 20 2009Wish u a bright future in politics.
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Prasad, India
Fri, Feb 20 2009hey this is good news to our India,coz such a great player who joined Congress party to serve the people.Who does not like him? Everyone likes him,I wish all the best for his political future.
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Rolphy Almeida, Udupi/Bangalore
Fri, Feb 20 2009I would like to wish very best to our oldest party of the country, and also that they do well in their strategy.
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SALEEM,GH, ABU DHABI, Amchinadka,Puttur
Fri, Feb 20 2009I wish you a bright future, may Allah give you more strength and health to serve the society
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hassan kinnigoli, kinnigoli
Fri, Feb 20 2009AZHAR U have a bright future in politics .u enter right time in politics.God bless you.
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Oliver D Souza., Mangalore/ Dubai
Fri, Feb 20 2009Congratulations Azhar.You have been one of the most liked players because of your natural wristy drives and superb fielding.It is a good decision.
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Basheer Bolwar, Abu Dhabi
Fri, Feb 20 2009One of Indias best cricket players...Ajju you have a bright future in politics....
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Jaganath Rai, Dubai
Fri, Feb 20 2009Good decition ajju....god bless u..
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parveali, shirva
Fri, Feb 20 2009This is good time you to joine the politics.As a criketer you done your job to the nation.Now you can serve the nation become a political leader .
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abdul, bunder mangalore
Fri, Feb 20 2009Congratulation Mohd Azar thanks and salam abdul
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Ronald, Karnataka
Fri, Feb 20 2009If I am to choose my 10 personal favourite cricketers for sheer natural talent, ability, grace, style, performance, and above all, gentlemanly personality, one would be Azhar. When in form, he could utterly destroy to pieces any bowling attack. I remember his 65-ball century against NZ. He was scintillating as a batsman. Further, he could be described simply as 'electric' and all grace as a fielder - perhaps one of the best in the history of the game along with the likes of Kanhai, Solomon, Bland, Jonty.
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Manjunatha Bangera, Kasaragodu/Bengaluru
Fri, Feb 20 2009Azhar was one of my favorite players during my school days. I liked his style, the way he used field and throw at the stumps. He was a superb batsman and a good captain. Unfortunately his career ended with a controversy. May god bless him.
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