Slamming West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee for inviting Pakistani players to play the World T20 Championship there, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray accused her of playing vote-bank polit
Slamming West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee for inviting Pakistani players to play the World T20 Championship there, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray accused her of playing vote-bank politics and lauded Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh, who had opposed hosting the India vs Pakistan tie in his state, saying he had shown true patriotism.
Mr Thackeray was attending a sports event organised by state finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar in Chandrapur. He said, “The big question is should we play with those who attack India. There should be sportsmanship. We are not against the spirit of the game. They will strike twice and we will strike twice. There will be kabaddi matches, cricket matches. It goes on. But, they (Pakistan) aid infiltration.”
Referring to earlier remarks by Mr Mungantiwar, who said it is a matter of pride that the ordnance factory in Chandrapur makes grenades that is used by the Indian jawans, Mr Thackeray said, “The jawan you mentioned has grenades prepared in Chandrapur. It is a matter of pride. But the soldier will turn back and say I have a bomb in my hand, while (the rest of) you have been given a ball and you will be playing with Pakistan. You either throw the ball or I will throw the bomb. How can both things be thrown at the same time You can’t.” Mr Thackeray added that when Mr Singh refused to provide security, he thought others would follow suit.
