Azharuddin to join Congress, confirms Moily

NEW DELHI: Former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin is all set to join the Congress party, as confirmed by spokesperson Veerappa Moily.


Speaking exclusively to TIMES NOW, the AICC General Secretary said, "I know him since 25 years. He expressed his desire to join the Congress. He wants the Congress to come back to power. I took up this matter with the Congress president, who has agreed to admit him into the party."

When asked whether he will contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls from Andhra Pradesh, Moily said, "Till today we have not discussed the constituency. He is joining the party unconditionally. He is very fond of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. The matter whether he will contest for the LS polls will be discussed later."

When quizzed on whether the party is worried about Azhar's past, as there is a life-ban imposed on him by the BCCI, Moily added, "There is no criminal case against Azhar. If there is a case at all then it is only between the BCCI and him, which has been filed by Azhar himself against the ban."

Justifying Congress' decision to induct Azhar into the party, Moily said, "Remember, he served the Indian cricket for 9 years as a captain with outstanding performance. He has filed a case against the ban imposed by the BCCI and that is not a criminal matter."

Meanwhile, he decided not to comment on actor Sanjay Dutt's admission into the Samajwadi Party saying, "We have no comment on Sanjay Dutt. It is up to him to join any party he wants."

Earlier, reports suggested that Azharuddin is scheduled to meet Congress chief Sonia Gandhi after which he is likely to visit the party headquarters and formally announce his foray into the world of politics.

Already in New Delhi, Azhar had a late-evening meeting with some of the senior party leaders on Wednesday (February 18).

Reports stated that the Congress is likely to field Azharuddin on his home turf Andhra Pradesh, where the Congress can cash in on his popularity.

Inducting the former skipper into the party is part of a Congress plan to accommodate celebrities from different fields. This is in keeping with the party effort to project a youthful and happening image for itself.

Known for his fabled catching abilities, Azhar can face a tough challenge to prove that there will be no misses on the new turf as well.

QnA: Will Mohammed Azharuddin make a clean politician?