The Annandale cricket ground controversy which generated lot of heat between the Army and the state BJP government, has forced the BJP to change its tune a week after the controversy erupted.
The BJP has now completely isolated Anurag Thakur son of chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, who had the grand plans of building an international cricket stadium at the historical and strategically important ground.
Already facing lot of embarrassment on the issue, the BJP has distanced itself from the controversy claming that the “government had never formulated any plan for a multi-purpose stadium at the site nor had it ever backed the signature campaign” for the ground and describing Mr Anurag Thakur’s stand on the issue as a “personnel one” and not to be taken as the stand of the party. The clarification has come from party general secretary J.P. Nadda.
It is worth mentioning that it was Mr Anurag Thakur who happens to be the president of Himachal Cricket Association (HPCA) and started a signature campaign to build a stadium at Annandale. However, the issue became a controversy when the Army openly emphasised the strategic importance of the ground.
The suggestion of a cricket stadium however did not cut much ice either with the political leaders of the state or with the environmentalist as the ground is surrounded by thick green forest considered lungs of Shimla.
The Opposition Congress was quick to target the state government for its “insensitiveness towards the important issue related to the fragile ecology of the hills”.
Congress leader and Union minister Virbhadra Singh had already stated that it is better if the ground stays with the Army instead of being converted into a cricket stadium for commercial reasons. However, the biggest embarrassment for the state BJP came from within when its veteran leader and national vice-president Shanta Kumar, who said that “national security is more important than cricket”.