Congress MP hopes C’wealth games flop

Indian Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar said that he would be “unhappy” if the Commonwealth Games were a...

Indian Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar said on Tuesday that he would be “unhappy” if the Commonwealth Games were a success, The Times of India reported. He added that only “evil” will patronise the games, remarks which were quickly dismissed by both his party and the opposing BJP.

“I am delighted in a way because rains are causing difficulties for the Commonwealth Games. Basically, I will be very unhappy, if the Games are successful because then they will start bringing Asian Games, Olympic Games and all these,” the former union sports minister told reporters outside Parliament House.

The MP lashed out at the massive expenditure being incurred for the October event.

“Those who are patronising the Games can only be evil. They cannot be God,” Aiyar said.

He said instead of spending billions of rupees on the Games, the money should have been spent on children.

“Thousands of crores are being spent on circuses like these while the common children are being deprived of basic facilities to play,” Aiyar said.

The Congress party was quick to dismiss Aiyar’s comments. “I do not take him seriously,” Congress MP Sandeep Dikshit said.

BJP, which has also raised questions about the manner in which funds were being used, said irresponsible statements should not be made on the issue.

“The Central and state government should understand that prestige of the country is associated with the Commonwealth Games. Irresponsible statements should not be made on the issue,” BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

Taking exception to Aiyar’s remarks, the Samajwadi Party said that those opposing the Games were doing so for “sadistic pleasure”.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 28^th, 2010.