Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took a dig at Congress and attributed India’s loss in the Cricket World Cup final against Australia because the match was held on former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s birthday.
During a public gathering in Telangana on November 22, CM Sarma suggested that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should avoid scheduling matches on the birthdays of Gandhi family members.
“We lost because the match was held on the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who imposed Emergency in the country. I will advise the BCCI to choose the date carefully next time for an important match and when there are no birthdays or birth anniversaries of the Gandhi family,” said CM Sarma.
The World Cup final was held on Indira Gandhi’s birth anniversary and the country lost. That’s why, I want to tell the BCCI that if you have a World Cup final game, make a calculation. That day should not be linked to the Gandhi family. Otherwise, the country will lose,” added the chief minister.
Indira Gandhi imposed Emergency in the country, he added.
BCCI से मेरा एक अनुरोध हैं…
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) November 22, 2023
कृपया भारत को उस दिन खेलना नहीं चाहिए जिस दिन गांधी परिवार के सदस्यों का जन्मदिन हैं । यह मैंने वर्ल्ड कप फाइनल से सीखा हैं । #TelanganaWithBJP@BJP4Telangana pic.twitter.com/w46gXykUJ4
Sarma’s comments come in the wake of political controversy surrounding the World Cup, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi previously alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s presence at the final match led to India’s defeat.
Rahul Gandhi’s remarks have led to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) filing a complaint with the Election Commission.
In the final match of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, held on February 19, Australia defeated India by six wickets.