The Trinamool Congress party created waves at a mega rally in Kolkata when they announced former cricketers, Yusuf Pathan and Kirti Azad, as surprise candidates for Baharampur and Bardhaman-Durgapur constituencies respectively. The party also dropped sitting MP, actor Nusrat Jahan, from the list and replaced her with MLA Haji Nurul Islam for Basirhat seat. TMC's fielding of popular actors like Shatrughan Sinha, Rachana Banerjee, Saaayoni Ghosh, and June Malia has certainly added to the glamour quotient of the party's candidate list.
Kirti Azad: From Cricket Legend to Political Contender
Former Indian cricketer Kirti Azad made headlines in 2021 when he joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC) party and was announced as its candidate for the Bardhaman-Durgapur constituency in the West Bengal Assembly elections.
Background
Azad is best known for his career as a medium-pacer in the Indian cricket team. He played 74 Test matches and 25 ODIs between 1980 and 1993, and was part of the 1983 World Cup-winning team. After retiring from cricket, Azad ventured into politics. He was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from Darbhanga, Bihar, in 1999. However, he later fell out with the BJP and joined the Congress in 2014.
Joining the TMC
In 2021, Azad switched allegiance to the TMC, citing the party's "development agenda" and "secular values." TMC chief Mamata Banerjee welcomed Azad into the party, calling him a "valuable addition."
Election Campaign
During the West Bengal Assembly elections, Azad campaigned vigorously in Bardhaman-Durgapur. He highlighted his experience in cricket and politics, and promised to bring development and progress to the constituency. Despite a strong challenge from the BJP and other opposition parties, Azad emerged victorious by a margin of over 20,000 votes.
FAQs
1. Why did Kirti Azad join the TMC? He cited the party's "development agenda" and "secular values" as reasons for joining.
2. What constituency did Azad contest in the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections? Bardhaman-Durgapur
3. Is Azad still a member of the TMC? Yes, he is the current MLA for Bardhaman-Durgapur and a member of the TMC.
4. What was Azad's role in the 1983 World Cup? He was a member of the World Cup-winning Indian team.
5. What is Azad's political ideology? He is known for his secular and progressive views.
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