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Shahrukh goes back to India to vote

Kolkata Knight Riders on their own because Indian law prohibits voting outside country

Bollywood star Shah-rukh Khan, who has caused a stir in South Africa while attending the Indian Premier League cricket tournament, will head back home this week to vote in India's general election.

Khan, the owner of IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders, will leave South Africa on Wednesday with his wife, Gauri, and children Aryan and Su- hana, to cast his vote on April 30.

Indian citizens are not allowed to vote when ab- road. This means Indian cricketers playing in the IPL matches may also not be able to make their mark during the month-long election, which started last week. Only bureaucrats and government officers are entitled to a postal ballot.

The Indian consul general in Durban, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, said India's system did not allow Indians overseas to vote. "People on holiday abroad will not be allowed to vote. It's only those on official government duty. I am not sure if the Indian players in the IPL will be allowed to vote. Generally, as per our electoral rule, there really is no way to allow those not in India or not in their constituencies to vote," said Shringla.

Speaking in Durban this week, soon after his team's win against the Kings XI Punjab based on the Duckworth-Lewis method, Khan said it was good to win. "The win is a sign that the team is coming together. I hope they continue this form. It's nice that the players are coming together at the beginning of the tournament.

"We have a deal with batsman Chris Gayle — he has to send one of the balls to Kolkata from Durban," Khan said, laughing.

But, he added, bad weather influencing a match and forcing the use of the Duckworth-Lewis method was "a sad way" for any team to win or lose. His team also lost games in India last year because of rain.

He said Durban had many Kings XI Punjab fans but hoped his team would also earn a fan base as the tournament progressed to other parts of the country.

"I like all sports. It's nice to be part of young people. If I can teach them something, it is positivity and going all out to win. But if you lose, it's okay, but do not become losers. This is what I teach my kids."

Khan said he dreamt of carrying the IPL trophy around the field at the Wanderers in Johannesburg, where the final would be played.

"I have dreams of being in Joburg and running round the field 10 times with the IPL trophy in my hand. I need to practise that and get fit.

"I am optimistic and told the team that if they did well, I'll come back; if they don't, I'll shout at them from India."

Khan said he was keen to explore more of South Africa. "This is the first time the kids have come to South Africa for such a long period. I want to visit Singita Game Reserve and Kruger Park. Next year, during the holidays, I would like to come and go around the country. I have many friends here.

"I have never shot a film in South Africa, although a lot of my friends have done so. It would be wonderful to make a movie here, provided that the locations suit the film, " said Khan.

Source: http://www.thetimes.co.za/PrintEdition/News/Article.aspx?id=987370

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