I'm not an outsider in India: Azhar

A section of the media reported that the sitting MP from Moradabad in UP is facing opposition from party workers

Cricketer-turned-MP Mohammad Azharuddin has dismissed as "useless talk" reports of non- cooperation by Congress workers in his Tonk-Sawai Madhopur constituency for being seen as an 'outsider', saying there is no restriction on anyone to work anywhere in India.

A section of the media reported that the sitting MP from Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh is facing opposition from party workers who are holding demonstrations and demanding that the ticket be given to a local party worker.

"I don't believe in such useless talk. I am an Indian and not an outsider anywhere in India. People from Chennai go to Mumbai to work. There is no restriction on anyone to work anywhere in India. My immediate aim is to do development work and I will do that," Azhar told PTI.

He said that contrary to the media reports, party workers were in fact cooperating with him and he is happy to contest from Rajasthan. Earlier, there was talk that he wanted to contest from West Bengal.

"I have been given a platform to serve my party and people. This is my immediate task and let me tell you that everyone is cooperating with me," said one of the most successful Indian captains who played 99 Tests and 334 ODIs for the country before retiring to pursue a career in politics.

"The party high command has decided to field me from Rajasthan and I am happy with it. I have good memories of Rajasthan from my playing days. Rajasthan has always been kind to me. I am meeting people. I have done a lot of work in my last constituency. I will do that (in Tonk-Sawai Madhopur) again," he said.