BJP T20 finals played amid sparring, goof- ups

◗ A party insider said that despite directions from the BJP leadership, Mr Tiwari and the organising panel failed to make it a collective party event

The final match of “Yamuna Challenge Trophy” T20 tournament, organised by the Delhi BJP, was played on Wednesday amid a series of goof- ups. Differences within the party rank and file over the tournament cropped up when senior leaders, including party Lok Sabha members, have missed the final played at Feroz Shah Kotla stadium.

The tournament, a brainchild of Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari, was originally planned from November 28 to December 25 last year. In the tournament, 280 teams took part and 290 matches were played.

Before the tournament kicked off, the top leadership of the party raised several questions and suggested few things to make the tournament free from controversy

A party insider said that despite directions from the BJP central leadership, Mr Tiwari and the organising committee failed to make it a collective party event. “Everyone was sidelined. Even the senior leaders or office- bearers were not informed about final. The toss for the final match was held at 10.45 am and at 11 am, the party leaders received a ‘ humiliating’ message that they should collect passes or invites from a person, engaged by the party and a personal staff of Delhi BJP general secretary ( organisation) Sidharthan. If the organising committee didn’t want us to be a part of the tournament’s final, then why send a message after start of game,” he added.

Hours before the start of final match, there was no clarity about the chief guest. Last night, the party issued a press release saying that Delhi police commissioner Amulya Patnaik will toss the coin to inaugurate the match to be played at 10.30 am and lieutenant governor Anil Baijal will award the trophy to the winners and the runners up of the final match. But on Wednesday morning, an invite was distributed saying that the toss will held at 10.45 am in the presence Union minister of state for heavy industries Babul Supriyo and that awards will be distributed at 1 pm.

Union minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and Union MoS for home affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir were among the leaders present at the event.