Azharuddin keen to contest 2019 Lok Sabha polls from Secunderabad

By Team Mynation  |  First Published Jul 16, 2018, 7:47 PM IST

The former cricketer from Hyderabad, who was handed a lifetime ban by the BCCI for alleged match-fixing, said he wanted to work for the people of Secunderabad

Former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin is keen to contest next year’s Lok Sabha elections from Secunderabad.

The 55-year-old Azharuddin said that he had already conveyed his wish to the Congress high command and a final decision was yet to be taken.

Azharuddin’s political entry was a victorious one in 2009 when won from Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh. However, he contested again in 2014 but lost, this time from Tonk in Rajasthan.

The former right-handed batsman said many had asked him to contest from his home state – Telangana.

"I have visited so many places and villages in the constituency and spoken with farmers and other people, they all welcomed me to contest from there," Azharuddin, who played 99 Tests for India, told PTI.

"I have conveyed my feelings (to the party and the leaders’ in-charge of the State). At the end of the day, the party is the supreme power. I am not the captain (here), if I were the captain, I would have chosen the constituency right away," Azharuddin added.

The Hyderabadi, who was handed a lifetime ban by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for alleged match-fixing, said he wanted to work for the people of Secunderabad.

"I want to work for the people there (Secunderabad). I have worked very hard in the constituency, but I don't believe in publicity. What I gathered from my party is that, they are also keen that I go there," Azharuddin said.

Currently, Secunderabad seat is held by BJP. Bandaru Dattatreya is the sitting MP.

(With inputs from PTI)

Read Exclusive COVID-19 Coronavirus News updates, at MyNation.

click me!