Kirti Azad files nomination as Cong nominee for Dhanbad

Former Indian cricketer and BJP leader Kirti Azad who joined Congress on February 18 filed his nomination from Dhanbad Lok Sabha constituency for the 2019 General elections. He was elected to the Lok Sabha on BJP ticket in 1999, 2009 and 2014.

Dhanbad: Three-time BJP MP Kirti Azad Saturday filed his nomination papers as a Congress candidate from Dhanbad Lok Sabha constituency.

Azad, the sitting MP of Darbhanga, is a former India cricketer and a member of the 1983 World Cup winning team.

After submitting his papers to the returning officer, he alleged that Dhanbad lost the opportunity of getting an AIIMS, an airport and some other major projects due to the "slackness" of PN Singh, the BJP MP of Dhanbad.

"I am one of the two fortunate sons of Jharkhand to have brought the World Cup to the country. I won it as a player in 1983 while MS Dhoni did it as the captain in 2011," said Azad who joined the Congress on February 18.

He was elected to the Lok Sabha on BJP ticket in 1999, 2009 and 2014.

However, Azad was suspended by the BJP in 2015 after he targeted Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in connection with alleged irregularities in the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA).