Even as the fate of Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) hangs in balance, Indian Premier league (IPl) team Kings XI Punjab has approached the State Government to hold league matches at the scenic Dharamshala International Stadium.
Dharamshala is the home ground of Kings XI Punjab where it plays a couple of IPl matches apart from PCA Stadium in Mohali which remains the main ground for the team.
The Congress-ruled State Government has recently taken over all properties of HPCA spread in over in 100 hectares, including stadiums and cricket academies across the state in Saturday midnight action for allegedly flouting the rules and irregularities. HPCA is headed by former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal’s elder son and BJP MP Anurag Thakur.
On the culmination of his five-day visit to Hamirpur and Kangra district, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said that IPl franchise Kings XI Punjab have approached State Government and informed that they wish to continue playing at Dharamshala international Cricket stadium.
“Kings XI Punjab is a professional organisation and they take the stadium on rent for staging IPl matches every year and they have no issue with the HPCA. The State Government will cooperate in all possible means for the conduct of IPl matches in the State,” said the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister also claimed that even Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) has not objected to the Government’s action against HPCA. “I don’t think BCCI has any problem with the Government’s action. If a Government can give over 100 hectares of land to anyone for a particular purpose, then it has the right to take it back if it’s misused,” said the Chief
Minister.
The Himachal Pradesh-Goa group C Ranji Trophy match was delayed at Dharamshala International Stadium due to Government action on Sunday and uncertainty prevailing over management of cricket match and could be resumed only after BCCI chief N Srinivasan got in touch with the State Government.
Virbhadra Singh said that Government is trying to open the membership of HPCA for locals and would ensure that every sports organisation in the State work in democratic manner not like it was happening earlier when only 25 life time members, including five family members of Dhumal family and non Himachali’s were allowed to vote in order retain the control of one man.
He claimed that the Congress Government in the State believed in transparency and has adopted zero tolerance level against corruption. “We will not tolerate any corruption, nepotism or land grabbing of any kind. If the current HPCA president is again re-elected in a democratic way, State Government has no problem,” said the chief minister.
Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh High Court has adjourned the hearing of the petition filed by HPCA challenging Government’s decision. Advocate General Shravan Dogra contested the writ petition saying that caveat has been filed in the case and the State Government has decided to engage special counsel for the case, so the case should be adjourned for some time.
Counsel for the petitioner opposed the move saying that case cannot be delayed and the State should be directed to restore the possession of the property seized from HPCA.
After hearing the arguments, a division bench comprising chief justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice Kuldeep Singh adjourned the hearing for November 5.