Mumbai, March 5 As Indian and English players prepared for their T20 World Cup semi-final match at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium on Thursday night, cricket became a topic of discussion in the Maharashtra legislature, with members expressing a desire to watch the match in the stadium.
While politicians usually compete for election tickets, members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) were seen demanding "tickets" of a different kind. They wanted tickets to watch the India-England semi-final match in the iconic stadium in south Mumbai.
Responding to their demand, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Dilip Lande, who was presiding over the session, directed the state government to make suitable arrangements for the MLAs who wanted to watch the match in the stadium.
Lande said, keeping in mind the sentiments of the House, the government should make the arrangements within an hour.
Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule agreed to look into the MLAs' demand.
Sudhir Mungantiwar (BJP) initiated a light-hearted exchange, asking the minister to make a decision on the MLAs' demand and fulfill the members' wish to see India defeat England in front of their eyes in the stadium.
The legislature is currently holding its budget session in the Vidhan Bhavan, which is located near the Wankhede Stadium.
The cricket fever also gripped the Legislative Council, where members expressed their disappointment at not getting passes and tickets for the World Cup T20 semi-final clash.
Raising the issue in the Upper House, Sachin Ahir (Shiv Sena-UBT) said that when former Union Minister Sharad Pawar headed the BCCI, lawmakers would be given passes to watch cricket matches whenever the state legislature was in session.
He stated that entry tickets are available online, but most companies buy them in bulk for their employees, leading to their shortage.
When members demand passes, no one pays attention to their request, Ahir claimed.
The Opposition MLC said that even police and IAS officers get stadium entry tickets, but not public representatives, and that the government should take note of this.
Supporting Ahir, Industries Minister Uday Samant noted that whenever there is a match, the Maharashtra Cricket Association invites officials, public representatives, and even former members of cricket associations.
This should also be the stand of the Mumbai Cricket Association (which manages Wankhede Stadium), demanded the Shiv Sena minister, adding, "There should be a quota (for lawmakers) in tickets."
Abhijit Wanzari (Congress) said that whenever there is a match in Nagpur, the Vidarbha Cricket Association gives two complimentary passes to each lawmaker.
Council Chairman Ram Shinde remarked that Sports Minister Dattatray Bharne, who was present in the House, is acting as a "mere spectator".
Anil Parab (Shiv Sena-UBT) said, "We don't need passes, but make tickets available."
He opined that if the Mumbai Cricket Association does not make tickets available for lawmakers, then it should not take services from the Maharashtra government for free.
Minister Samant said, apart from looking after the security aspect, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation also helps the match organizers. Even the Higher and Technical Education department helps by providing its land for vehicle parking.
