The decision of the BCCI to shift the venues of the IPL playoff and final matches from Kolkata’s Eden Gardens to Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, has sparked a fresh war of words between the TMC-ruled West Bengal government and the BJP.
West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas on Thursday accused the BJP of engaging in “cheap politics” and said that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has “once again deprived cricket lovers from Bengal” of watching the IPL final at the Eden Gardens.
Addressing a press conference with Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma by his side, Biswas refuted claims of law and order or adverse weather conditions as reasons for shifting the venue, calling them “lame excuses.”
The BCCI on Monday announced the shifting of the venues for the IPL playoffs and final following a week-long pause in the tournament due to the India-Pakistan military conflict. As per the new schedule, Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will host the summit clash as well as Qualifier 2, while the New PCA Stadium in Chandigarh, also known as the Mullanpur stadium, will host the Qualifier 1 and Eliminator.
Hyderabad and Kolkata were supposed to host the play-offs as per the original dates.
Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium had earlier hosted the IPL final in 2022 and 2023.
“100 per cent matches in Kolkata have been played without a single incident,” said Biswas.
Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma said, “A total of nine matches were scheduled to be played in Kolkata. As Commissioner of Police, I am here to say that seven matches have been played here so far, and no incident has been reported. These matches witnessed 60,000 plus footfall.”
Verma said that neither the general public nor the organisers raised concerns about law and order. He also pointed out that the BCCI’s official information did not cite law and order as the reason for the shift, suggesting “there could be another intention.”
He recalled the instance when the state government had asked BCCI to shift the match date, citing Ram Navami. “It shows there is no problem related to law and order in the city,” Verma said.
Meanwhile, Minister Biswas said: “Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar on his X handle posted that the matches have been shifted due to the law and order problem. The BCCI and the IPL governing body have claimed that a new venue for the playoff match and final has been decided, considering the weather conditions. Who is saying the truth — the BJP or BCCI?
“It is a politically motivated decision,” the TMC minister added.
Biswas further challenged the weather-related justification, presenting documents indicating that specific weather forecasts for Kolkata between May 20-30 would only be available after May 14, and for June 1-4 after May 26.
The playoff match is scheduled for June 1, and the final for June 3.
“It is to inform you all that no forecast has been issued for the first week of June. When the weather forecast has not been shared, when did the BCCI become a weather expert,” the TMC leader asked.
Stating that CAB (Cricket Association of Bengal) should have raised their voice against the shifting of the venue,” Biswas said: “It is IPL’s rule that the last year’s champions’ home ground will host the IPL final. But now there is an unwritten rule that the finals will be played in Ahmedabad. In the last 4 years, three times the final games have been played at the Ahmadabad stadium.”