SP, Cong fight out on cricket pitch

New Delhi: As if politics within the Indian cricketing establishment wasn't enough, politicos have taken the clash of their political ideologies on to the 22-yard pitch as well.

Never mind the fact that Uttar Pradesh has just won its first Ranji trophy or the fact that UP cricketers are now making India proud.

What takes precedence for the Congress and Samajwadi leaders is the blame game.

The controversy is regarding the final one-day match of the Ranji Trophy which was formerly scheduled to be held in Lucknow.

However, the venue has now been moved to Mumbai as UP Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav has declined to give permission for the match to be held in Lucknow.

The move has sparked-off a battle of words between Mulayam and Rajiv Shukla, a Congress-man and also the President of the State Cricket Association. Shukla alleges Mulayam's move is just not cricket.

"Mulayam Singh doesnt know a thing about cricket. It’s the other vested interests that are creating the problem," Shukla says.

The charges obviously haven’t gone down well with the Samajwadi party which is fighting the Congress on many counts.

"They don't give Kanpur a test match and then create a scene over some silly local one dayer. They are the ones who are discriminating," General Secretary, Samajwadi Party, Amar Singh, says.

Even as the Congress-SP battle it out, it's Mumbai which will play host to the one-dayer.

SP denies involvement

But the SP has denied any hand in this controversy.

"How can I be blamed? I have nothing to do with it. It must be that the UPCA never took permission," said Amar Singh, SP leader.

The UP sports minister denied any political motive, but can't explain why his government cancelled such a prestigious match for the state.

"The match had the permission. But the Regional Sports Officer cancelled it. For the last two days I am searching for this sports officer," said RK Chowdhry, UP Sports Minister.

Meanwhile, UP were strengthened by the availability of RP Singh and Suresh Raina after they were released from the third Test squad to play in the final.

(With inputs from PTI)

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