Sachin Tendulkar's nomination to Rajya Sabha is perfectly valid under the provisions of the Constitution of India, Home Minister P. Chidambaram said on Monday.

"This is not our reading of the Constitution provision. I think the Constitution provision is very clear and I urge all of you to read it once again."

Subhash Kashyap, former Lok Sabha Secretary General, has raised the issue saying "sports" is not mentioned in the Constitution as a category under Article 80.

But, under Article 80 of the Constitution, the government can nominate to the Rajya Sabha 12 persons having special knowledge or practical experience in respect of such matters as the following, namely: Literature, science, art and social service.

Sachin is the leading run-scorer and century maker both in Test and one-day international cricket. He is the first player to score a double century in ODI cricket.

Wisden in 2002, ranked Tendulkar the second greatest Test batsman of all time, besides Donald Bradman.

Sachin Tendulkar (39) was nominated recently to Rajya Sabha along with actor Rekha and industrialist Anu Aga.(msn)