Saffron allies differ over cricket invite to Pakistani leaders
Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, in a terse statement, launched a scathing attack on the government.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's invite to his Pakistani counterpart for tomorrow's cricket World Cup semi-final match between the two nations has brought to the fore divergent view among top leaders of long-time allies BJP and Shiv Sena.Senior BJP leader LK Advani said here yesterday he had no objection to India inviting the Pakistan President and Prime Minister for the World Cup semi-final cricket match at Chandigarh, as long as there is zero tolerance to terrorism.However, leader of BJP's oldest ally, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, in a terse statement here today, launched a scathing attack on the government over the invitation and flayed the "so-called cricket diplomacy"."There is going to be a cricket war in Mohali (during the India-Pak match tomorrow). Where is the question of cricket diplomacy? Don't hide your ineffectiveness in the guise of cricket diplomacy," Thackeray said."At a time, when the 'Ram' of India is taking on the 'Ravan' of Pakistan in the cricket war, our weak government has laid down the 'green' carpet to welcome the 'Ravan'," Thackeray said.