India's home minister P. Chidambaram said on Tuesday he wanted the Indian Premier League cricket tournament postponed because it clashed with next month's general elections. "I have asked the home secretary to get in touch with the IPL organisers," Chidambaram told the CNN-IBN news channel. "Since, the election dates are unalterable, I have asked to find out if the dates of the IPL can be rescheduled.
I would be happy if the tournament starts when the bulk of the polls is over. "I will be stretched to provide security for both the IPL and the elections." The multi-million dollar Twenty20 tournament is due to be played from April 10 to May 24, while the parliamentary elections will be held in five phases between April 16 and May 13.
Chidambaram's comments came on the day armed gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team in the Pakistani city of Lahore, causing injuries to seven players. The incident will put a black mark on Pakistan's ability to host sporting events, the minister added. "In the immediate future, I don't think any country will send their sporting team to Pakistan," Chidambaram told the channel. "But we should come to definitive conclusions only three months or six months down the line.
Things can improve and I hope they will improve. I wish Pakistan will take steps to improve the situation. "But if you ask me, it is unlikely that anyone will send a sporting team to Pakistan next week or the next month." IPL commissioner Lalit Modi declined to comment on whether the tournament will be postponed, but said dates for the upcoming matches will be adjusted to accommodate the elections.