Sachin Tendulkar as Rajya Sabha MP evokes mixed response from fans

Jun 04, 2012 |

NEW DELHI/ MUMBAI

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Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar’s new innings in Rajya Sabha has evoked mixed response from his fans.

While many believed the cricketer would rub off his genius in the political playing field, others opined that the legend should stay away from politics.

"Sachin Tendulkar is our God, and whatever he does, is correct. We hope he will take India forward in politics and clean the filth that has engulfed the system," said Kanish Patel, a cricket fan.

"Sachin Tendulkar should not have joined politics. His name will get spoilt. He should not have entered politics," said Chaitanya, another cricket fan.

Earlier in the day, Sachin Tendulkar took oath as a Rajya Sabha member in New Delhi.

The oath-taking ceremony was conducted in the presence of V. Narayanasamy, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's office, Rajiv Shukla, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Ahmed Patel, Political Secretary to Congress President Sonia Gandhi and senior Congress leader Harish Rawat.

After formally signing on as Rajya Sabha MP, Tendulkar was presented a yellow shawl and took part in a photo opportunity with Vice President Ansari and his wife Anjali.

Tendulkar is the first active sportsperson and cricketer to have been nominated to the Rajya Sabha under the Prominent Citizens Quota.

He was nominated to the Upper House along with film actress Rekha and industrialist Anu Aga in April, but had to wait to take his oath until the end of IPL season 5.

The nomination of Tendulkar had sparked a political slugfest with the opposition parties questioning the timing of the move by the government. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena had said that the timing of the nomination suggests that it is aimed at distracting attention from scams.

Tendulkar is the leading run-scorer and century maker in Test and one-day international cricket. He is the first player to score a double century in ODI cricket.

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