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?Politics is like cricket?
Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Sidhu speaks about his new innings.
Politics is altogether a different game than sports. How fit do you find yourself for it.
I enjoyed my career as a cricketer. Now I enjoy politics as I have the advantage to be in a party that has a charismatic and statesman pilot — Atal Bihari Vajpayee. I don’t find this new field very different as I get the same sort of appreciation and admiration that I received as a sportsman.
You drew a lot of admiration as a cricketer and commentator. Now that you have to go to people with folded hands asking for votes, don’t you find it embarrassing?
I have never demanded anything from anyone. I don't even demand anything from God in my daily prayer. At the time of campaigning, I never ask for votes. Instead, I request the people to make me a part of their joys and sorrows.
The BJP is known to draw guidance and strength from so-called communal outfits VHP and RSS. How do you identify yourself with such a party?
The people consider BJP a secular party. The people's voice is voice of God. You tell me, is Vajpayee not a secular man?
There are allegations that you approached the Congress for ticket during the past Lok Sabha elections. What’s your reaction?
Kuchh to log kahenge, logon ka kaam hai kehna (from a film song: Others will always make comments. One shouldn’t bother about them)
What do you have in mind to do for the people of Majha region?
My priorities will be: Making efforts towards beginning free trade with Pakistan; revival of the dying industry; reforming youths who have taken to drugs; uplifting the down-trodden and removing traffic chaos from Amritsar, especially outside the Golden Temple.
