Former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin has started a new innings as a politician and has chosen to bat from Moradabad in western Uttar Pradesh, where the Congress party is facing an uphill task of winning back the confidence of Muslims. Another former Indian Test cricketer Madan Lal, who, too, joined the Congress recently, was nominated to contest the Hamirpur parliamentary constituency in Himachal Pradesh against state Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal’s son, Anurag Thakur, but he was replaced at the last minute. The only other former Indian Test cricketer in the electoral fray is Chetan Chauhan, who is contesting on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket in East Delhi.
Azharuddin, however, is on a sticky wicket as the Congress has lost the support base of Muslims in Moradabad and elsewhere in UP years ago. This time round, the Congress is banking on his star status to wrest the seat. Azhar appears to be game for it and is all geared up for a serious contest in Moradabad, with a determination to win the seat.
His wife, former film star Sangeeta Bijlani, said, “I am campaigning for Azharuddin. I meet women and try to understand their problems. I seek to enlist their support for Azharuddin. But I am happy with the response I am getting during the course of my campaign.”
Excerpts from an interview:
Since the Ayodhya agitation peaked in 1989 till now the Congress has lost the Muslim support base in Uttar Pradesh. Do you think the Congress will be able to win back their support?
Yes. I am confident that the Congress will win back the Muslim support. Even during my campaign, I found encouraging response from the people here. I feel a good beginning has been made and the result will also be good.
What difference do you see between Hyderabad, your native city, and Moradabad?
Hyderabad is my home city. Now that I have decided to contest from Moradabad, first of all I have to find a place for myself, where I can meet the people and attend to their requirements.
What are your first impressions about Moradabad?
My initial impression was that I was shocked by the extent of poverty here. This area is very backward. In fact, I never expected it to be so backward. The state of roads is terrible. Poverty is all over the place. There is no proper system in place. It lacks basic amenities like bijli (power), sadak (roads), paani (water). Power shortages are terrible here. Unemployment is also a major problem here.
What will be your priority as MP?
If elected to Lok Sabha, my top-most priority would be the development of Moradabad. I shall accord highest priority to providing basic amenities.
Why did you choose the Congress party?
I have always been a follower of the Congress party, which took the lead in India’s freedom struggle. I have been a great admirer of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi also. I feel the Congress is a secular party that has an inclusive agenda that can take along all sections of people. The Congress also has a focused development agenda, which, I strongly feel, is the need of the hour.
All your colleagues are slugging it out in the Indian Premier League in South Africa while you seem to be alone in the Indian Political League?
Well, I am also here because of cricket. I am cricketer first and that is what has given me my identity. Some have become commentators, while I chose to turn to politics. This is the only way I feel I can give back to the people, as I have received their unstinted support, all through.
Will Congress President Sonia Gandhi campaign for you?
I hope so. That will really help me in my campaign.
