With promises in his lips in true style of Indian politicians, Azhar is all set to start his second innings-as a politician. “I cannot play cricket today as I understand that one has to change with time. My new role as a politician is a step in that direction. From now on its 100% Azhar the politician,” says one of India’s successful cricket captains, whose cricket career was ended by a life ban imposed on him by BCCI on the wake of match fixing controversy that rocked the cricket world nine years back.

Contesting on Congress ticket, and from a constituency that always proved to be difficult for Congress, Azhar has concluded rather a big electoral victory by as big as 50,000 votes. Before finally pitching him from Moradabad constituency, his party had mulled over a few other seats including Secunderabad in Andhra Pradesh, Tonk in Rajasthan and Meerut in Uttar Pradesh. But the party think tank finally settled on Moradabad, the brass capital of India, which is located 160 kms from Delhi, and their scheme clicked.

But it was not an easy victory, informed the former cricketer, who played 99 Tests for India. “I was a bit nervous as politics is new to me. It was very tough traveling from early morning till late night for days. But, I connected with the common man, for whom there are immense issues here. Moradabad has no electricity, road and proper healthcare. Its famous brass industry has suffered a setback due to economic recession,” said Azhar, the politician. However, being a cricketer helped him achieve his first success as politician. “I debuted with three centuries in Test cricket. Now I have won a seat in politics, which I got due to my hard work and not merely luck. When one works hard, luck automatically favors that person.”

As a representative of his men in Moradabad, his priority will be to bring uninterrupted electric supply to the region. With merely 10 hours of electricity, no one is interested in setting any new industries here which has led to poverty in the region. I want to ensure proper electricity for the town,” says the former India skipper. He also wants to create jobs for youth, especially in the sports sector. Rekindling interests in hockey is also in his agenda. “I’ll try to provide better facilities for sportsmen in the region,” promises Azhar, who brought Congress victory to Moradabad seat after twenty four years.

It is to be seen now whether Azhar, the politician lives up to his promises or conveniently forget them in true style of Indian politicians. 

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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