Former Indian skipper Mohammed Azharuddin is not only extending moral support to cricketer-turned-politician Dodda Ganesh, but also providing financial support to his friend. And guess how much is the money promised? A whopping Rs 10 crore.

Ganesh, who formally joined the JD(S) in the presence of Azharuddin and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda at the party office in Bangalore on Wednesday, himself disclosed this to reporters.

“He (Azharuddin) is like my elder brother...He has promised to give me Rs 10 crore for contesting the election,” he stated.

He further said that former Indian skipper is giving him money as he is poor. “I am a poor man. I have made name, not money,” Ganesh added.

It was Azharuddin who advised him to join the JD(S), though he had invitation from other national parties. “Some national parties had invited me after I expressed interest to enter politics. I decided to follow the advice of 'Azzu bhai' to join the JD(S).

What is the point in serving in a national party when farmers in my own state are suffering. The JD(S) is the right platform for me to serve the poor and downtrodden,” Ganesh declared.

Ganesh, a medium pace bowler, had played 104 first class matches claiming 365 wickets, mainly for Karnataka. He made his international debut against South Africa in 1997 and during his short international career he played four Tests and one ODI.

‘No politics’

Earlier, Azharuddin, while wishing his friend his friend good luck, clarified that he has no plans to enter politics. “I request not to speculate anything. There is nothing more or noting less than this,” he stated.