THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: On Tuesday morning, the NSS Auditorium, Sasthamangalam, scarcely resembled the venue of a political event. Young boys in mud-streaked sportswear and armed with cricket bats thronged the venue – they’d rushed straight from the cricket ground – to catch a glimpse of MP and former Indian cricket team captain Mohammed Azharuddin, who was in the city to promote the Youth Congress membership campaign.
Interacting with his young fans, Azhar was bombarded with questions, and they ranged from cricket to politics to Shashi Tharoor. And he fielded them impressively.
In a nostalgic mood, Azharuddin said he had a special relation with Thiruvananthapuram city. It was after a major under-19 cricket tournament held here – he had represented the Hyderabad Cricket Association then – that he was selected to the national team.
If invited, he was willing to become the brand ambassador of IPL Kochi team, he said. Kerala has a lot of fresh cricket talent. But the state lacks infrastructure to nurture such talent. There are no good grounds or coaching facilities available for the youngsters. Bringing the IPL to the state might hopefully help to change the scenario here, he said.
Another fan was more interested in the camaraderie between Azharuddin and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, a well-known cricket buff. Tharoor, he said, was like an elder brother to him. Tharoor can do wonders for the city, he said. Azhar said he was also happy with the overwhelming reception given to Tharoor when he visited Thiruvananthapuram for the first time after resigning as Minister of State for External Affairs. Tharoor’s intentions were clean and pure, he said.
On his entry into politics, Azhar said he had always been a Congressman and an ardent admirer of Rajiv Gandhi.
Hence, it was natural for him to join Indian National Congress when he decided to don the role of a politician. He also said that the Youth Congress membership campaign formulated by Rahul Gandhi to draw youngsters to the party has started to gain momentum. He hoped that it maintains a good pace till the end.
Azharuddin distributed the membership cards to those who registered for memberships following the interaction. AICC general secretary and Member of Parliament Jithendra Singh also was present.
Earlier in the day, Azharuddin visited the Government School for Deaf and Dumb, Jagathy.
Name of the Source: Express Buzz