Kolkata: As the sixth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) kicks off today, political pitch over hosting its matches in drought-hit Maharashtra has been growing. IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla, who is also the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, slammed the BJP saying the party is raising a controversy against the IPL on 'unnecessary grounds'.
Speaking exclusively to NDTV in Kolkata, Mr Shukla said, "The BJP doesn't want anything good to happen to this country. I would like to ask the BJP that all their top leaders, living in huge bungalows in Delhi with sprawling lawns, can anyone of them give water for the drought-affected areas of Maharashtra. It's only a publicity stunt."
"What sense does it make to use many thousand litres of water to maintain the pitch on which cricket matches are played. This water is used in a state seeing the worst drought of the century. It is not justified," he said.
Mr Shukla dismissed the claims by saying, "IPL matches do not consume so much of water that there will be drought. People in Mumbai should consume less water in their bungalows."
The IPL's sixth season will kick off today in Kolkata with a star-studded opening ceremony. The matches will begin on April 3 and end on May 26.
Speaking exclusively to NDTV in Kolkata, Mr Shukla said, "The BJP doesn't want anything good to happen to this country. I would like to ask the BJP that all their top leaders, living in huge bungalows in Delhi with sprawling lawns, can anyone of them give water for the drought-affected areas of Maharashtra. It's only a publicity stunt."
"What sense does it make to use many thousand litres of water to maintain the pitch on which cricket matches are played. This water is used in a state seeing the worst drought of the century. It is not justified," he said.
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Mr Shukla dismissed the claims by saying, "IPL matches do not consume so much of water that there will be drought. People in Mumbai should consume less water in their bungalows."
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The IPL's sixth season will kick off today in Kolkata with a star-studded opening ceremony. The matches will begin on April 3 and end on May 26.
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