Mixed reactions to Sachin’s name

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Even as the home ministry on Friday formally notified the presidential nomination to the Rajya Sabha, the political class appeared to be divided over star cricketer Sachin Tendulkar’s nomination.

Some welcomed the move, while others saw politics behind the decision claiming that active sports icons should not enter the political ring.

Alleging that the move was a ploy to divert the nation’s attention from problems plaguing the government, Opposition members in and outside the Parliament questioned the timing of the decision.

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, BSP chief Mayawati, Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav, Trinamul Congress leader Sudip Bandyopadhaya and Congress leaders Satyavrat Chaturvedi and Raj Babbar welcomed the move.

But Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said Mr Tendulkar should instead be given the Bharat Ratna while questioning the timing of his nomination to the Rajya Sabha.

Mr Raut said, “Sachin is still on the field and has not retired. So why is he not being nominated for
Bharat Ratna? And if Sachin is being used to divert attention from the problems plaguing Congress, then such politics should not be practised by them. Anything that Congress does is inspired only by politics. Sachin is above politics.”

Ms Mayawati, a Rajya Sabha member herself, welcomed Mr Tendulkar’s nomination, but took a dig at Congress, saying people “know very well the intentions of the Congress party”.

Mr Chaturvedi rubbished the Opposition charge that Mr Tendulkar has been nominated to divert attention.

“The government, country and Parliament are above any individual. One person can neither build nor destroy the fate of a party or a government. The sooner this confusion is removed, the better. The kind of mindset Shiv Sena has, it can say anything,” he said.