From pitch to Parliament: eventful journey for Azhar

The journey from the cricket pitch via the dusty bylanes of the brass city to Parliament has been unexpected for former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin who won from the Lok Sabha seat here.      

"I was interested in campaigning only. But Ritaji (UPCC chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi) asked me to contest the election from here. She convinced me for it and I could not say no to her," said the former India captain.      

Azharuddin said his priority now would be complete the tasks which he had promised during the hectic campaigning.      

The right-hand batsman from Hyderabad, who had to quit the captaincy of Indian cricket team after allegations of match fixing surfaced against him and some of his teammates, told reporters that he would concentrate on fulfilling the promises made during his campaign.      

When asked about his interactions with Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and youth leader Rahul Gandhi, Azharuddin said they were busy with the electioneering so he was in touch with other senior leaders like Digvijay Singh and Salman Khursheed who gave him tips about the campaigning.      

It was also a surprise for his wife former actor Sangeeta Bijlani who had to pitch in for the campaigning along with him after being persuaded by local Congress workers.      

"I just came here for a day or two. But then people started asking me to go here and there with him. That is how I end up campaigning for him," Bijlani said.