Chidambaram dismisses IPL criticism as unwarranted

The Centre today dismissed as "unwarranted" the remarks of the BCCI president Shashank Manohar, who had held the government attitude responsible for moving the Indian Premier League out of the country.

"I have read a number of statements of the IPL decision which obliquely criticise the central government. These statements require an answer. Some unwarranted comments also deserve a re-joinder," Union Home Minister P Chidambaram told a press conference.

Manohar, after the BCCI working committee yesterday, had said that they were forced to take the tournament out of the country because of the government's attitude.

"If he (Manohar) was referring to the central government. The remark is entirely unwarranted. It is contrary to the letter of March 4, 2009, wherein N Srinivasan, Secretary BCCI, said 'we shall not ask for central para-military forces to provide security for matches'," Chidambaram said.

"If Shree Manohar was referring to the state government alone I would like to remind them ..The state governments are ultimately responsible for maintaining the law and order and providing security and one has to respect the judgment made by the state governments in this behalf," Chidambaram said.

With IPL involving huge money, Chidambaram said, "It appears that IPL is more than a game. It is shrewed combination of sport and business. There is no reason to add politics to this combination," he said.

Chidambaram maintained that India is safe for cricket and the only question was scheduling of the matches.

"I have repeatedly said that cricket - or any other game- when played in India is completely safe and all players will be provided full security. The question is when should the IPL matches be played."

Chidambaram said the Home Ministry had asked the hosts states for their views on the revised schedule but only three states and one Union Territory -- Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Punjab and Chandigarh -- responded.

To a question if he would ask the BCCI to reconsider the decision of shifting IPL outside the country, Chidambaram quipped, "no suggestion."

He had the same answer when asked if he would suggest holding of the IPL matches after general elections.

The BCCI, yesterday, after its working committee meeting had shifted the Twenty20 tournament out of India.

The new venue is yet to be decided with South Africa and England being approached by the Indian Cricket Board.