Take Two

Into the Dirty Game

Madhavankutty Pillai | 10 Jun, 2012

On Sachin Tendulkar becoming a Rajya Sabha member when he will have no time for it

Sachin Tendulkar took oath this week as a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament and immediately got a taste of the world he is now dabbling in. A completely random person, in the form of Pradeep Gandhi, a former Member of Parliament who had been expelled in the cash-for-votes scam, stood beaming next to Sachin in the chamber he had taken oath in. Gandhi, it turned out later, had sauntered in because he was curious what was going on, and, in a manner befitting a politician, grabbed the photo-op when he saw it.

If that was ridiculous, then it was just as ridiculous to make Sachin an MP. Even a nominated member exists to contribute something to the Rajya Sabha. It is difficult to see what Sachin will do when he won’t be there at all. He might be on the verge of retirement but it is not the same as retired. As of now, he plays ODIs, Tests and the IPL. It’s a schedule he himself found so taxing that he dropped out of the national T20 team. To expect him to have any time or interest in preparing for debates in the Rajya Sabha is wishful thinking. Even he does not believe it. He said as much after the oath-taking, his statement making it clear that his only priority at present is cricket.

There was also something else he said—that he hadn’t asked for the Rajya Sabha membership, but once offered, it was an honour he couldn’t refuse. That is actually no reason to do anything and doesn’t justify his taking up a seat. There are reasons why he was offered it. It is a public relations coup for Parliament. No one will object and it is a route for politicians like IPL CEO Rajiv Shukla (also standing alongside in the same photo-op) to curry favour with Sachin. It is a subtle favour being traded for the time when Sachin does retire in the next year or two and is looking at options beyond cricket. You can’t blame politicians—this is how they survive. But surely Sachin should have thought through the wisdom of accepting it. If he does perform his duties as a Member of Parliament, there will be no cause for complaint. Otherwise, it is a gift he willingly, knowingly accepted.