'Sachin's Rajya Sabha nomination does not mean he is joining Cong'

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray today said Sachin Tendulkar's nomination to Rajya Sabha should not be viewed from a political perspective. Warming up to new innings | Mixed reactions | Sachin's many avatars

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Friday said master blaster Sachin Tendulkar's nomination to Rajya Sabha should not be viewed from a political perspective.

Nomination to the Upper House of Parliament was an honour for the 39-year-old legend's cricketing achievements, he told reporters in Mumbai.

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"The President of India has nominated him after recommendation from the Centre. No politics should be seen into this. Sachin's acceptance of the nomination does not mean he is joining the Congress," said Raj, who is a close friend of the cricketing great.

Meanwhile, the MNS leader took potshots at Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi over his plan to visit Maharashtra, where Congress is in power since 1999 in alliance with Sharad Pawar-led NCP.

Rahul's statement about visiting Maharashtra often would mean that Congress will meet the same fate in the state as in Uttar Pradesh, Raj remarked.

The Lok Sabha MP from Amethi was the Congress' star campaigner in Uttar Pradesh, where the party fared poorly in the recent Assembly elections.

Mixed reactions