Congress gripes government 'batting' for IPL in Chhattisgarh

Cries foul over the involvement of state govt for the event

The main opposition party in Chhattisgarh, Congress, bats for IPL cricket matches to be held in Chhattisgarh but cries foul over the involvement of state government for the event.

The state would be the host for two Indian Premier League (IPL) matches to be held on April 28 and May 1. Both the matches would be played in the newly built stadium in Parsada-about 20 km from the capital city.Being the first mega cricket event in the stadium and state, the government machinery has allegedly swung into action to leave no stone un-turn to make the event a grant show. However, the government's action has come under the scanner of the Congress party.

"The IPL matches organized in Chhattisgarh is a good move but the government going out of the way to spend tax-payers money for the event is strongly objectionable," Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee spokesperson Sushil Anand Shukla said. The party also protested the alleged black-marketing of tickets for the matches, he added.

The main opposition party alleged that the Chhattisgarh government had taken up a number of infrastructure development projects in wake of IPL matches. In reality, the projects would not be of any use after the event, Shukla said, adding that the government was misusing tax-payers money for the event. Shukla said tickets for both the matches were beyond the reach of local people in Chhattisgarh. "The cheaper tickets are not available in the on-line ticketing system that indicates black-marketing of tickets," he added.The Chhattisgarh Cricket Association President, Baldeo Singh Bhatia could not be reached for his reaction on the issue.