New Delhi: Describing Varun Gandhi's hate speech as "disturbing", former Indian cricketer and Congress candidate from Uttar Pradesh Mohammad Azharuddin said on Saturday that it will send a wrong message to the youth.
"It is quite disturbing for a person of his calibre -- really well educated and coming from an affluent family -- to say something like that," Azharuddin, who has been fielded from Moradabad Lok Sabha constituency, told reporters.
"He has sent a very wrong message to youth," the former skipper said, adding, "nothing of this sort should happen again."
Asked whether invoking of the NSA against Varun was correct, he said, "I do not know the nitty gritty of it. I am not a lawyer."
Speaking on getting the Congress ticket from Moradabad instead of his native place Hyderabad, Azharuddin said, "It was party's decision. I am very happy. People gave me a good response at Moradabad."
He said that he would be happy if Congress which does not have "any great strength there (in UP)" gains with his joining the party.
Reacting to his rivals tagging him as an 'outsider', Azahruddin said "nobody is an outsider in India. I am eligible to fight elections from anywhere. I am from Hyderabad, but as a player I used to go everywhere to play."
Asked whether he would campaign for the party in other parts of UP as well, Azharuddin said, "Sure, I will do it if my party asks me to do so."
About his experience on the political pitch, he said, "I feel it is a different field. I am playing on a different grass. I am very happy to be associated with common people."
"I am very happy to join the party. Congress is a party which will take India forward and way ahead," he said.