Government nominates Sachin Tendulkar for a Rajya Sabha seat

The Congress has recommended cricketer Sachin Tendulkar's name for the Rajya Sabha and is now waiting for Tendulkar to respond to the same, according to sources. Sources say that Sachin Tendulkar may not accept the nomination. However, an official announcement is awaited.

Sources say that the Congress has offered to nominate Tendulkar in the President's quota. Sources say the Home Ministry has recommended four names including those of Bollywod actress Rekha and Sachin Tendulkar for the Rajya Sabha.

Sources say Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had written a letter to the Home Ministry on the issue.

Tendulkar along with his wife Anjali met Congress President Sonia Gandhi at her 10 Janpath residence in New Delhi.Although officially the Congress said that Sonia wanted to meet Tendulkar and personally congratulate him on achieving the historic achievement of scoring 100 international centuries, but sources say the main agenda was his nomination for the Rajya Sabha.

Reacting to the the reports of Sachin Tendulkar's proposed nomination, BJP leader Najma Heptulla said,

"We are very happy that Tendulkar's name has been proposed for the Rajya Sabha.""Tendulkar is a great player, we are proud of him. If he is being nominated, surely he would devote some time to Parliament," BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

© IBNLIVE