Bangalore:
It's now Bangalore vs the cricket league after the semis were transferred out of the city a day after two explosions took place near the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has said the decision to shift the IPL semis out of Bangalore should be reversed as security is fine in the city.
"Karnataka government and Karnataka police are committed to providing substantive security to the IPL matches and hence I suggest the BCCI to reverse its decision and allow the semi final matches to continue in Bangalore," Yeddyurappa said.
With more bombs found on Sunday, IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi had said they had no choice but to move out.
But the Bangalore police disagree to this. They say it's a blow to their pride and are still promising security.
Slamming the IPL's decision to move out semi-finals from the city, Bangalore Police Commissioner Shankar Bidari called the decision 'unfair due to false presumption'.
"If BCCI doesn't reverse decision, it will commit a serious mistake. We never said can't provide security for semi-finals," the Bangalore police chief said.
He also said that the police have assured protection for semi-finals.
The IPL organisers have shifted the semi-final match to Navi Mumbai citing security reasons after twin blasts rocked the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore just before the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians. Four people were injured in the blasts.
The semi-finals are scheduled for April 21 and 22.