Harbhajan Singh pledges Rajya Sabha salary for farmers' daughters

Harbhajan Singh, once a star spinner in the Indian cricket team, has begun his political career as an MP. Bhajji said he had joined (politics) to "contribute to the betterment of the nation".

Chandigarh: Former international cricketer and AAP Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab Harbhajan Singh on Saturday said that he will contribute his Rajya Sabha salary to the education and welfare of the daughters of farmers.

"As a Rajya Sabha member, I want to contribute my RS salary to the daughters of farmers for their education & welfare," Singh tweeted. The Rajya Sabha MP further said that he has joined the House to "contribute to the betterment" of the nation. "I've joined to contribute to the betterment of our nation and will do everything I can. Jai Hind," he added in his tweet.

The former cricketer was elected unopposed as the Rajya Sabha member from Punjab. He had said that he will promote sports as he has been entrusted a responsibility that he will fulfill sincerely. Notably, Aam Aadmi Party had nominated five candidates for the Rajya Sabha elections in March this year. All of the party candidates were elected unopposed.

The party had made a clean sweep in Punjab after winning 92 of the 117 Assembly seats. The thumping victory meant that AAP could get all five Rajya Sabha seats. Harbhajan's role in the farmers' movement was also being questioned as he did not openly support them.

A resident of Jalandhar, Harbhajan was earlier rumoured to join the BJP. Then suddenly, he joined the Aam Aadmi Party, and soon after the party nominated him as a Rajya Sabha member from Punjab. Harbhajan Singh made his Test debut in 1998 against Australia. He played his last Test in 2015 against Sri Lanka. Bhajji made his ODI debut against New Zealand in 1998. His last ODI was in 2015 against South Africa.