New Delhi:
Sports Minister MS Gill on Wednesday disfavoured the suggestion that India should bid for Olympics even if the Commonwealth Games next year are organized successfully.
"Some of our colleagues said casually that we should be bidding for Olympics. I'm not sure India should be," Gill said in the Rajya Sabha while replying to members' concerns over delay in preparations for the Commonwealth Games.
Gill's remarks came in response to a statement made by cine-star turned Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan, who said the Commonwealth Games give an opportunity to bid for the Olympic.
"Look at the poverty in this country...look at its size...
China has spent 50 billion dollars for Olympics. If you are ready to spend (that amount).... There is a certain class of people, who like and enjoy it because it is a good entertainment for them," Gill said.
The minister's remark prompted angry reactions from Bachchan, who asked him not make personal comment, a charge Gill denied.
"It's not a personal comment. It's policy," Gill said.
Seeking to corner the government on its preparedness for the Commonwealth Games, Bachchan said, "We are here to laugh at ourselves...to make a mockery of the whole show. It is going to be the most humiliating experience for the country."
She said in a lighter vein that she would congratulate Gill for his sportsmanship.
"You have a baby on your lap, but you have no nurse and maid," she said, asking the Minister to accept the ground reality regarding the status of preparedness for the Commonwealth Games.
N K Singh (JD-U) said there were "too many cooks in the kitchen" and wondered whether there was any "principal chef" who could coordinate.
Singh wanted to know whether the Minister was man-incharge of the mega event.
Rajniti Prasad (RJD) asked Gill "will you also put up some tent in the Ramlila Maidan (to house the players who would be coming for the event)".
Responding to Prasad's repartee, the Minister said with a smile "we are also thinking of tambu (tent), if required. Laluji (RJD chief) also used to do the same".