Thaindian News

New Delhi, Sep 27 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Monday accused the government of “complicating” matters regarding the Commonwealth Games (CWG), saying that the uncertainty about who will inaugurate the event should be settled without delay.
“The government should ensure that the dignity of the office of President is not hurt. There should no be discussion on protocol as even such discussion is an insult,” BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said.

“The decision on who will inaugurate the CWG should be taken without further delay. It should be a perfect decision,” she said answering queries on the uncertainty about who will inaugurate the Oct 3-14 Games.

Sitharaman said: “Every step is getting complicated, becoming an issue which is damaging the prestige of the country”.

She said the country was capable of handling such events of international standards but the government had “messed up” the preparations.

Congress leaders refused to comment on the uncertainty about the inauguration, maintaining it was an issue between the Organising Committee and the government.

Sources in the Organising Committee (OC) said Monday that India’s President Pratibha Patil and Britain’s Prince Charles may share the honours at the inauguration of the CWG in the absence of Commonwealth head, Queen Elizabeth.

They said negotiations were still on between the OC and the Indian and British governments regarding the details.

As per protocol, Queen Elizabeth should inaugurate the 19th edition of the Games, organised among the countries that comprised the erstwhile British empire.

About 7,000 athletes and officials from 71 countries and territories will take part in the 11-day Games, the biggest sports event to be hosted by India after the 1982 Asiad.