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Why cricketers, sportspersons rarely succeed in politics unlike film stars

It isn't just the Congress fielding sportspersons for the forthcoming Haryana Assembly polls. The BJP has fielded Deepak Hooda, former captain of India's national kabaddi team, from Maham Assembly sea

From left: Vinesh Phogat, Wrestler, joined Congress on Sep 6; Bajrang Punia, Wrestler, joined Congress on Sep 6; Yusuf Pathan, Cricketer, joined TMC on Mar 10; Devendra Jhajharia, Javelin thrower, joined BJP on Mar 2
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From left: Vinesh Phogat, Wrestler, joined Congress on Sep 6; Bajrang Punia, Wrestler, joined Congress on Sep 6; Yusuf Pathan, Cricketer, joined TMC on Mar 10; Devendra Jhajharia, Javelin thrower, joined BJP on Mar 2

Archis MohanVishal Menon New Delhi
Unlike the electoral success that several film and television actors have achieved in Indian politics, some of whom served as chief ministers, such as M G Ramachandran and N T Rama Rao, or were ministers at the Centre, from Sunil Dutt to Smriti Irani, the political careers of most sportspersons have been briefer and their contribution to public discourse comparatively unremarkable.

But a stream of cricketers, footballers, and athletes keeps flowing into the hubbub of politics, to try to replicate the battle skills they learnt in the sporting arena in the theatre of electoral warfare.

On Friday,

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