Bal congratulates, criticises Pawar
Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on Saturday congratulated Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar for becoming the president of the International Cricket Council.
At the same time, Mr Thackeray also criticised Mr Pawar for promoting more cricket matches between India and Pakistan.
In his typical sarcastic tone, Mr Thackeray suggested that the NCP ministers, who display Mr Pawar’s photograph holding a plough in their offices, should replace the photograph with the NCP chief holding a cricket bat.
In his editorial published in the Shiv Sena’s mouthpiece Saamna, Mr Thackeray wrote that he is happy that Mr Pawar has become the ICC president because he is a Marathi manoos. “The ICC is a powerful organisation — the power is obviously monetary power. Even if he is of no use to the Marahi manoos, we still have to congratulate him.”
However, Mr Thackeray criticised Mr Pawar’s statement that he will push for the continuation of the Indo-Pak cricket matches. The Shiv Sena chief said that even thinking of such a thing is a “sin”.
Moreover, Mr Thackeray said, “There was no need for Mr Pawar to dig up the issue without any valid reason. Why is he indulging in such unnecessary pursuits? Until Pakistan stops the bloodshed in India, no Pakistani should be allowed to step on our land. It is my strong nationalistic stand. I may not understand nuances of cricket, but I understand the feelings of common people. Hence, I will continue to oppose matches Indo-Pak matches to be played in Maharashtra.”
Meanwhile, after assuming the post, Mr Pawar said, “Recent visits by the Union home minister and the foreign secretary to Pakistan is a welcome sign. If India and Pakistan start playing cricket then it will influence the bilateral relations. We will be happy to encourage resumption of matches.”
Further, Mr Thackeray said that ICC CEO Malcom Speed was unnecessarily apprehensive about Mr Pawar’s knowledge of cricket.
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