Sachin Trapped In A Political Game?

BJP MP Kirti Azad questioned if Tendulkar would be able to devote time to the Upper House of Parliament. Azad asked "Sachin is an icon and apolitical but will he find time for Rajya Sabha since he is playing?"

The Shiv Sena was of the opinion that the decision was taken in hurry, as Sachin should have first been given the Bharat Ratna. Shiv Sena’s Rahul Narvekar said "The government has not given Bharat Ratna that he truly deserves, but it was in a hurry to nominate him to Rajya Sabha."

Reacting to this, Nirupam said that it was the right of the government to decide who it wants to send to the Rajya Sabha. Nirupam also added that the meeting between batting maestro and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi should not be politicized. He, however, said that the Congress would welcome Sachin if he wished to join the party.

In the mean time Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said "Sachin is still on the field and has not retired. And if Sachin is being used to divert attention from the problems plaguing Congress, then such politics should not be practised by them. Anything that Congress does is inspired by politics. Sachin is above politics," reported DNA.