MP Sachin Tendulkar sets an example, says no to government bungalow

New Delhi: Cricketer and newly elected Rajya Sabha MP Sachin Tendulkar on Saturday said no to staying in the bungalow allotted to him saying he did not want to waste tax payers' money. Sachin refused to take possession of 5, Tughlaq lane allotted to him in the capacity of being a Rajya Sabha MP.

Speaking to CNN-IBN, Sachin explained why he decided against taking the bungalow opposite AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi's house. "I am not keen on staying in any government bungalow when I will be in Delhi for only a few days. I feel this would be a waste of tax payers money and it would be better if the bungalow is allotted to someone else who needs the bungalow more than me."

The cricketer said that he would prefer to stay in a hotel in Delhi every time he is here. "For me the honour of being nominated as a Rajya Sabha MP matters much more than the perks and privileges like being given a government bungalow," added Sachin.

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  Sachin took oath in the chamber of Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari.

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  Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar took oath as member of the Rajya Sabha making it clear that his focus would be cricket.

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  He hinted at concentrating on Parliament work after he stops playing the game.

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  However, he hastened to add that he does not want rumours to swirl that he has stopped playing cricket for Parliament.

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  "I will focus on my cricket and as and when I stop playing cricket, I don't know, when I will start attending to other things," he said after taking the oath.

  PTI

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  Tendulkar took oath as member of the Rajya Sabha in the presence of Chairman Hamid Ansari and Union Ministers Rajiv Shukla, Harish Rawat and V Narayanasamy.

  PTI

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  Tendulkar, along with film actor Rekha and industrialist Anu Aga was nominated as members of the Rajya Sabha by President Pratibha Patil on April 26.

  PTI

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  Sachin with his wife Anjali.

  PTI

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  "Cricket comes first," Tendulkar told reporters as he and wife Anjali were chaperoned by Shukla to Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari's chamber.

  PTI

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  There was much excitement in the corridors of Parliament as a large number of officials gathered outside Ansari's chamber where Tendulkar took oath.

  PTI

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  A number of Parliament staffers took out their mobile phones to capture a glimpse of the cricketer.

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  After taking oath, Tendulkar said it was a great honour for him to be nominated as a Rajya Sabha member by the President.

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  Sachin is the first active sportsperson and cricketer to have been nominated to the Rajya Sabha under the Prominent Citizens Quota.

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  There was a big question whether Sachin will accept this honour or not.

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  Sachin had to wait to take his oath until the end of IPL season 5.

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  Many celebrities believe Sachin will do a great job as Rajya Sabha MP.

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  The nomination of Sachin had sparked a political slugfest with the opposition parties questioning the timing of the move by the government.

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  Sachin takes oath as MP.

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The RS MP said that he didn\'t want to waste tax payers\' money and the bungalow should be given to someone who needs it.

5, Tughlaq Lane was previously occupied by former Delhi chief minister Sahib Singh Verma and former Haryana chief minister Bansi Lal's son Surender Singh.

Sachin is the first active sportsperson and cricketer to have been nominated to the Rajya Sabha under the Prominent Citizens Quota.

Sachin was nominated to the Upper House along with film actress Rekha and industrialist Anu Aga in April, but had to wait to take his oath until the end of IPL season 5.

The nomination of Sachin had sparked a political slugfest with the opposition parties questioning the timing of the move by the government. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena had said that the timing of the nomination suggests that it is aimed at distracting attention from scams.

A first time Member of Parliament is allotted a Type 5 or Type 6 accommodation. However, due to security reasons, special exception was made for Tendulkar. He has been allotted a Type 7 bungalow, which is spread over 7,000 square feet, has big lawns and five spacious bedrooms. The bungalow will be done up before the start of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, when Tendulkar is said to debut his political innings.

Also See

• Is Tendulkar's Tughlaq Lane bungalow jinxed?

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