Does Azharuddin Have Rahul Gandhi's Full Backing?

Cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin's categorical announcement that he would contest from Secunderabad Lok Sabha constituency has let the cat among the pigeons. This has stunned two-time MP and last time's losing candidate Anjan Kumar Yadav. Ajju Bhai had contested twice to the Lok Sabha. Once, he had won and once, he lost to the BJP. The next time, he has indicated that he would fight from Secunderabad.

Congress sources say that there is some deep-rooted planning about Ajju Bhai's candidature and that he had come out into the open only after securing a nod from Rahul Gandhi himself. Sources say that the number of Muslim votes in Secunderabad's Secunderabad, Sanat Nagar, Khairatabad, Jubilee Hills, Nampally, Amberpet and Musheerabad are around 4 lakh and these votes will go en block to Azharuddin.The youth and cricket lovers too would root for him, making his victory a cakewalk.

Congress feels that Anjan Kumar Yadav is out of touch with the constituency and has lost his support base. He is also not on friendly terms with several local leaders. In the last elections, he lost by 2.54 lakh votes to Bandaru Dattatreya. Sources also revealed that Anjan might not revolt against Azhar has the high command is fully backing Azhar. That explains why Anjan, who was belligerent in the morning’s party meet, became mellow by evening. So, Ajju Bhai has the blessings of no less a person that Rahul Gandhi himself.