Opposition parties in Maharashtra have launched sharp attacks on the BJP and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over the upcoming India-Pakistan Asia Cup match scheduled for September 14 in Abu Dhabi.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray questioned the government’s silence, asking, “If blood and water cannot flow together, how can cricket and blood be together?” He accused the BCCI of being “anti-national” and driven by money. “Why is the BCCI so excited about playing with Pakistan? Is it because of greed for TV and advertisement revenue? When Pakistan can boycott the Asia Cup over India, why can’t the BCCI do the same?” Thackeray said, adding that the BJP has abandoned its earlier ideology.
The Maharashtra Congress echoed similar sentiments. Spokesperson Sachin Sawant called the decision a “diplomatic failure” and an insult to the families of soldiers and victims of the recent Pahalgam attack. “PM Modi had once said that blood and water cannot flow together. Today it seems cricket runs and blood are allowed to flow together,” Sawant said.
The Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) also attacked the government, with spokesperson Jitendra Awhad saying, “This cricket match has exposed the dual standards of the government and the ruling party whose politics thrives on the India-Pakistan issue.”
Responding to the criticism, BJP minister and BCCI representative Ashish Shelar defended the decision, insisting that international sporting events cannot be dictated by political tensions. “Our stand has always been clear: India will not tour Pakistan and vice versa. But we cannot stop our team from playing in international tournaments. This opposition is not appropriate,” Shelar said.
He also hit back at the Shiv Sena (UBT), recalling that late party founder Balasaheb Thackeray once hosted Pakistan cricket legend Javed Miandad at his home.
Meanwhile, Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut announced that the party will hold a “Sindoor Raksha” campaign on September 14 to protest India’s match with Pakistan.
