Guna-Shivpuri: On campaign pitch, Scindia XI takes on Sidhu XI
BHOPAL: Politics moved to a different pitch in Guna-Shivpuri constituency on Thursday when sitting MP Jyotiraditya Scindia and Congress star campaigner and cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu took each other on in a cricket friendly.
A whopping 10,000 spectators turned up to watch the match between Shivpuri XI and Punjab XI at Shivpuri’s Madhavrao Scindia Sports Complex.
The BJP didn’t like it though, and ran to the referee to file a complaint of poll code violation.
Sidhu was originally scheduled to stage a roadshow and address a public meeting in Shivpuri but Scindia changed it into a cricket match of five overs each. Both teams comprised local players, both boys and girls.
The match was scheduled to start at 5pm but got a bit delayed and was restricted to three overs each. Sidhu won the toss and asked Scindia XI to bat. Scindia XI scored 23 runs in three overs. In reply, Sidhu opened the batting for Punjab XI and was out on the second ball itself. With this, interest of the crowd in the match diminished with the waning light.
Sidhu was originally scheduled to stage a roadshow and address a public meeting in Shivpuri but Scindia changed it into a cricket match of five overs each. Both teams comprised local players, both boys and girls.
The match was scheduled to start at 5pm but got a bit delayed and was restricted to three overs each. Sidhu won the toss and asked Scindia XI to bat. Scindia XI scored 23 runs in three overs. In reply, Sidhu opened the batting for Punjab XI and was out on the second ball itself. With this, interest of the crowd in the match diminished with the waning light.
Following the match, a dais — as seen during post-match presentations in cricket matches — was created in haste from where Scindia and Sidhu addressed the audience. Sidhu took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said: “Ganga le lal ban ke aye the, Rafale ke dalal ban ke jayenge.” He appealed to people to elect Scindia by a record margin. “If it happens, I will come to Shivpuri again to thank the people,” he said.
Scindia accused PM Modi and BJP of diverting attention from real issues, and said: “They have done nothing for farmers, youth or any other section of society. Since they have nothing to show as their achievement, they are raising the issue of nationalism.” He apprised people of development works he carried out as MP. “People of my constituency are like my family and I will continue to strive to work for them as much as possible,” he said.
BJP filed a complaint with the district returning officer, accusing Scindia of violating the model code of conduct.
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