Cricketers: Let's Play Politics

Yesterday we saw one more crickter entering the political fray. Ex-Captain Mhd. Azharuddin joined the Congress Party and he is expected to contest the upcoming elections from one of the three constituencies of Hyderabad.  He is one of the biggest names to join the politics. Last being Mr Pataudi some 30 years ago. 

He will be projected as the minority face of the congress in the upcoming elections. In an interveiw to a news channel on being asked about match fixing allegations he said " I know the issues will be raised by politicians but his job is the work hard and ignore certain things which no more matter now "

He is life banned for playing cricket by BCCI. The case is challenged by Azhar but its dragging on in the court. 

He is not the first cricketer to join politics. Here are the few and their performance in the politics.

Navjot Siddhu is one of the most versatile cricketers in the hostory. He has played cricket, done commentary, acted as judge is a laughter show, acter in films and is in politics also. You will not find any other cricketer who has washed his hands in so many things.

Sidhu was elected as MP from Amritsar constituency but resigned later due to his conviction in a murder case of 1998. Sidhu appealed in Supreme Court which stayed the judgement and allowed him to contest in the election. He won again in 2007. He is projected as a long term player in Punjab politics and is groomed by Arun Jaitely

Sidhu is very active in politics and recently he was involved in stopping a train in Punjab to protest against the non inclusiont of Amritsar in the Mumbai-Ludhiana rail corridor. Recently he was given poor rating by Punjab Government and he has protested against it.

Chetan Sharma has recently decided to join the politics, but he is the first one not to choose either of the mainstream parties BJP and Congress. He has joined Mayawati's party BSP and will be contesting the elections from Faridabad in Haryana. Can he match the aura of 

Kirti Azad is the other cricketer who has met with success in politics. 83 world cup team member became MLA from Gole Market in Delhi and later on won the Lok Sabha seat from 

Tiger Pataudi one of the youngest captain of Indian cricket team at the age of 21 also tasted politics in 1971 when as a candidate of Vishal Haryan Party contested from Gurgaon protesting about the abolition of Privy Purse in India. He is known for his fighting spirit and zeal, despite loosing his right eye vision in a car accident with his zeal and love for cricket he overcame his handicap and led India. 

Saurav Ganguly is on the radar of many political parties to join the politics. But he is keeping his cards closed and has said that he will contest from Bangal only if he ever join politics.