Hazaribag BJP MP vs MLA: Cricket Match Dispute Sparks Political Rift

Hazaribag: In cricket season, when everyone loves to catch a glimpse of their favourite IPL stars on television or troop to a stadium to watch a match, can politicians be any different?Turns out, an ongoing tussle between BJP MP Manish Jaiswal and the party’s Sadar legislator Pradeep Prasad over a cricket match has turned into an open duel.On May 18, during a friendly match between the Hazaribag District Cricket Association (HDCA) team and a Tata team, Prasad reached the venue and expressed strong displeasure over not being invited, alleging deliberate neglect by the cricket association, chaired by Jaiswal.The MLA even threatened to do a sit-in protest and stop the match, surprising the motley crowd that had gathered to watch the match.Prasad claimed that despite being a representative of nearly five lakh people, he was repeatedly ignored by the association.

He pointed out that while invitation cards carried names of both the MP and the MLA, only Jaiswal was formally informed.“Events are organised regularly, but I am not even told,” he said, accusing the association of disrespect.HDCA secretary Bunty Tiwari on Wednesday clarified that no insult was intended, and information about cricket matches is usually shared through the association’s social media group.Jaiswal said the MLA did not approach him at the stadium.

“How would I have gone to speak to him?” he asked, adding he was willing to play the role of an elder brother but said he will not “bow before an unruly younger brother.”He said while Prasad had skipped previous meetings, steps would now be taken to send individual invites, stressing that the body must function collectively and not as a “personal fiefdom.”