Little master blaster Sachin Tendulkar Tuesday termed his nomination to the Rajya Sabha (RS) as a "bouncer."
Speaking at an event in Pune where he was felicitated for his 100 international centuries, Sachin said, "It's a bouncer. It's an honour when you get nominated for Rajya Sabha as MP by the President, in the place which had great people like Lata Didi and Prithviraj Kapoor."
With scoring a 100 runs against Bangladesh this year, he became the first player in the history of cricket to record 100 international centuries.
"An individual is selected based on his/her contribution in their respective field. I have been selected after playing cricket for twenty two and half years for India," the cricket legend said.
Commenting on his new avatar, Sachin said, "I must say something, I am not a politician, I am a sportsman and will always remain one." He added that whatever he was now today was because of the cricket and would continue to cherish that game.
"It is not like I will stop cricket and join politics. I will continue playing cricket. It is my life," Sachin said. "Now I have more responsibilities."
The cricket legend ruled out the question of becoming a politician at the cost of cricket. "Cricket is my life and it will remain so. My expertise is obviously sports and I wish to make contributions in the field. I hope you will support me," Tendulkar said.
The Congress party suggested Tendulkar's name to the Rajya Sabha last week and the President of India, Pratibha Patil, approved his nomination. The President can nominate 12 members to the Upper House under Article 80 of the Indian Constitution.
A Parliamentarian position in the Rajya Sabha was another shot in the arm for the Tendulkar as he is the first active sportsman to become a member of House of Elders.
The Congress party also nominated 57-year-old Bollywood actress Rekha and industrialist Anu Aga to the Rajya Sabha. Rekha has won the national award for her role in "Umrao Jaan" and is a recipient of the Padma Shri. Anu Aga, took up social work after her retirement in 2004, is also a recipient of Padma Shri and is currently chairperson of Teach for India.
