A fuming BCCI secretary and BJP MP Anrurag Thakur on Wednesday said, Congress Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh had forced out the India-Pakistan match from Dharamsala by playing dirty politics and not caring that the move had tarnished the image of not just Himachal Pradesh but the entire country.
“It gives a wrong impression about the country. Due to one State not delivering why should India get a bad name,” an enraged Thakur asked reporters on the sidelines of a promotional event in the Capital.
“The negative atmosphere created by the ruling party doesn’t go well with the fans, sponsors and the country as a host.
“They (Himachal Pradesh Government) have left no stone unturned in destroying the image of the State and the country. To give different statements everyday has become their habit,” he said.
Thakur, who is chief of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association, said it was an embarrassing situation created by the State Government, for whom the pride of nation is least important.
“I don’t see in the World Cup history such kind of situation faced by the ICC ever. They have again shown that for them it is family first, party next and nation comes last. The embarrassment they have created for the country and the projection they have given is not fair on part of any Chief Minister,” the BJP’s Member of Parliament from the Hamirpur constituency said.
Thakur said though he had done his best to save the Dharamsala match but, in the end, providing security is
the onus of the State Government. “We have given one of the world’s most beautiful ground, we have created one of the best cricketing facilities available in India.