‘Stadium not to be used for rallies’

SRINAGAR: State sports minister Imran Reza Ansari on Monday evening claimed he has received no court directions “in the shape of any order or notice” and asked the authorities to stop using the Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Stadium for political rallies.

Ansari said, “According to the rule book of JKCA Constitution, in absence of association president, chairman or vice chairman can hold a meeting regarding any decision and the majority vote of the association members shall take the final decision,” said Ansari.

Asserting as JKCA president, Ansari said the only cricket ground in the state shall not be used for any political activity. Earlier, both chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held rallies ahead of the assembly polls last year in the same ground. “We will tell the authorities that the pitch is delicate so spare it for only cricket,” he added. HTC