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No security? No problem! Non-Congress states keen to host IPL despite Centre's warnings
While Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde has made it clear the Government won't be able to provide adequate security for the Indian Premier League (IPL) as it is likely to coincide with the general election, it has been learnt that some of the states - not governed by the ruling party at the centre - are still keen to host the tournament.
With the seventh edition of the IPL round the corner, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Sanjay Patel and vice-president Rajeev Shukla met Shinde last week.
But the minister did not play ball and the BCCI is now contemplating having the first half of the tournament outside India, before bringing it back to India for the business end.
Losses: Royal Challengers Bangalore Vijaya Mallya and Kings XI Punjab owner Preity Zinta are set to suffer around 40 to 50 per cent in revenue if the IPL is played outside India
But speculation is rife that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is keen on having the IPL in India.
It is no secret that she shares a bond with Kolkata Knight Riders and even shared a podium with KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan when the outfit won the title in 2012.
While Trinamool Congress's spokesperson Derek O'Brien refused to comment, another person associated with the party said: "Security is a state matter. Moreover, the people of West Bengal connect with KKR and everyone would love to have matches at the Eden Gardens.
"Also, the state government is set to lose out on revenue in the form of entertainment tax."
It is also believed that the BJP, who were against the IPL moving to South Africa in 2009, are unhappy again.
Speaking to Mail Today on Monday, Harshad Patel - convener of the Gujarat BJP media cell - didn't sound pleased.
"In 2009 we weren't keen on the IPL being staged outside India. As for this time, the BCCI straightaway went to the home ministry and they refused to allow the tournament to be played during the election," he said.
Even franchises are set to suffer huge losses in revenue if the tournament is played outside.
"While the losses will vary from team to team, every team will approximately lose close to 40-50 per cent of revenue if the tournament is played abroad," an official of one of the franchises told Mail Today.
www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/india...s-keen-host-IPL-despite-Centres-warnings.html
