Thaindian News

Kolkata, April 5 (IANS) Unhappy over the plastic covers used on the Eden Gardens ground, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Thursday advised the Cricket Association of Bengal to put in place more modern covers to protect the ground during rains.

On her second visit to the ground after becoming chief minister, Banerjee was heard asking a CAB official: “What sort of covers are you using? Why don’t you put in place better, more modern covers?”

As the CAB official tried to play down her admonition with a smile, Banerjee was more forthright. “You have to do it”.

The covers had been brought from Chennai ahead of the Indian Premier League tie.

Banerjee earlier entered the Eden Gardens, the venue for the Indian Premier League game between Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Daredevils, alongside Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan on a rain-soaked evening, which delayed the start of the fixture.

Asked whether she felt disappointed with the elements playing spoilsport, Banerjee said: “Why should I be disappointed? These sort of things happen in political meetings also. I feel the match will start.”

There was more embarrassment in store for the CAB officials due to a snag in the air-conditioning unit at the box where Banerjee had taken a seat besides Shah Rukh.

One of the officials frantically searched for an electrician, but it proved futile.

A short while later, Banerjee left the box and took a seat at the KKR hospitality box.

Banerjee paid her maiden visit to the ground on the fifth and final day of the India-West Indies cricket Test match last November.