By IANS
Bangalore : As Dodda Ganesh, a former medium pacer from Karnataka, Wednesday joins the ruling Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) party, speculation is rife that former India captain Mohammed Azharuddin may follow suit.
Ganesh, accompanied by Azharuddin, met JD-S president and former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda here Tuesday. The former captain, disgraced by his alleged nexus with match-fixers, would be present at the JD-S office here when Ganesh formally joins it Wednesday.
"Azharuddin's meeting with Deve Gowda and his presence tomorrow at the party office shows he is a sympathiser of the party and may join it," JD-S general secretary K.N. Chakrapani told IANS.
Asked whether Gowda or JD-S had invited Azharuddin to join the party, Chakrapani said his party welcomed all those who believed in its principles.
Ganesh had earlier said he had no idea if Azharuddin really intended to join the party but added: "He is supporting me."
On the role he would play in JD-S, Ganesh, who turns 34 in a few days, said: "I will have to see what post or position will be given to me.
"My immediate plans are to visit flood-hit areas and help the affected people," Ganesh said, responding to questions whether he had any agenda drawn up.
Heavy rains battered several parts of Karnataka last week, claiming over 40 lives and damaging around 1,000 houses.
Ganesh did not make a mark playing for India in the 1996-97 tour of South Africa and West Indies but has a rich haul in First Class cricket. He played only four Tests and a single one-day international. But in 104 first class games the right arm medium pacer has taken 365 wickets and scored 2,023 runs that include a 100 in a Ranji Trophy match.
Dodda, born in Bangalore in June 1973, announced his retirement from all forms of cricket earlier this month after he was not recalled for the national team despite his impressive show in domestic circuit.