BJP up in arms, castigates State Govt

THE BJP HAS strongly criticised the state government for not making available the KD Singh ‘Babu’ Stadium for the Ranji Trophy one-day final between UP and Railways.

The match was scheduled for Tuesday, but has now been shifted to Mumbai.  The district (north) president of the BJP Rakesh Sonkar lambasted the state government for canceling the ground’s booking just to satisfy the personal grudge with the UPCA. 

Accusing Amar Singh for it, Sonkar said, “As Amar Singh has not been able to take over UPCA despite his best efforts, the SP leader is now hell-bent on damaging UPCA and cricket in the state.”

Recently, the representation of UP in the Indian cricket team has remarkably increased with the selection of many cricketers from the state in the Indian team, added Sonkar.   

He also warned the state government to refrain from such activities in future otherwise statewide agitation would be launched.

BJP spokesman of the north unit Anoop Awasthi also criticised the incident and held the state government responsible for it.

“It’s a deliberate attempt of the state government specially of Amar Singh to sabotage the cricket in the state,” stated Awasthi.

The incident will be a big blow to the morale of not only budding cricketers but for other sportsmen also, added Awasthi.

District secretary of the southern unit of BJP Anoop Tewari criticising the state government said, “It is after a very long time that UP has proved itself in the international cricket but this unfortunate incident will no doubt have a negative impact on the future of sports in the state.”

Activist of the Bhartiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM) have also condemned the incident and sought an explanation from the state government for the cancellation of the stadium’s booking for the final match of Ranji Trophy.

District president of the BJYM Srikrishna Dixit said the incident would compel the aspiring cricketers and other sports persons to think twice before representing the state both at the national and international level.