19 November,2023 03:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Sanjay Raut. File Pic
Taking a dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the World Cup final between hosts India and five-time champions Australia, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday alleged that the championship clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium had the appearance of an event of the saffron party than a cricketing spectacle, reported news agency ANI.
Borrowing from the cricketing terminology to have a go at the BJP, Sanjay Raut said, "It looks as if PM Modi will bowl, Amit Shah will bat and BJP leaders will man the boundary as the World Cup final unfolds today," reported ANI.
The final between the two-time champions and the five-time winners is being staged at the Narendra Modi Stadium, which is acknowledged as the biggest cricketing arena in the world.
In a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will be in attendance at the match later in the day, Raut said, "There is no need to bring politics into cricket but it is being done in Ahmedabad," reported ANI.
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"I won't be surprised if we get to hear later, should India win the World Cup, that we lifted the trophy because PM Modi was in attendance. Anything can happen in the country these days," the Rajya Sabha MP claimed, reported ANI.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles will watch the ICC Cricket World Cup final on Sunday, according to an official release issued on Saturday, reported ANI.
The final features the two cricketing giants 20 years after they last met in the championship clash for the 2003 edition at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. India finished on the losing side then.
The hosts are eyeing a payback this time.
Earlier, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut has slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party for using Lord Ram and the Ram Mandir in its election campaign across five states.
Raut said, "I have read the statement of Amit Shah. In some meeting, he announced that if the BJP government is formed in Madhya Pradesh, then people will be given the darshan of Ram Lalla for free. Lord Ram is famous for the whole country and the world, but the way Ram Lalla is being promoted in the election campaign, it means that if the people of Madhya Pradesh defeat you, then people will be stopped from going to see Ram Lalla. What kind of politics is going on in our country?"
The construction of the Ram Mandir has become a focal point in the BJP's election campaign. Leaders from Prime Minister Modi to Home Minister Amit Shah have accused the Congress of hindering the temple's construction in Ayodhya. "BJP should apologize for the way issues are being raised in the campaign. Have you become the owner of Ram Lalla or has Ram Lalla appointed you as an agent? This is a very serious matter. If the Election Commission is really alive, then action should be taken in this regard," added Sanjay Raut.
(With inputs from ANI)
