Political parties that have been ideologically opposed to anything to do with Pakistan are suddenly singing a different tune ahead of mouth-watering clash
As the nation prays, ahead of the penultimate battle in the World Cup the India-Pakistan confrontation in Mohali tomorrow some 800 km from the warfront, political parties are doing the utmost to stride the wave of excitement and ride right to the electorate's heart.
Shiv Sena
Vibhag pramukhs are putting up large screens, so that people can come together to watch the match.
Senior leader Bharat Kumar Raut says the party has no problem even if the Pakistan team plays at Wankhede
Most remarkable, however, is the strategic spin some have performed in the moment of truth. All eyes on the municipal elections next year, parties have reinvented rhetoric in the publicity-favourable setting lest it antagonise cricket-crazy voters.
The Shiv Sena, which has been patently opposed to the idea of the Pakistani cricket team setting foot on city's soil, seems to be warming up to it as the Cup draws to a spine-tingling close.
Where earlier, a party leader had issued veiled threats saying "the party's position on the issue is well-known and will be pursued", the Sena now says it has no issues per se.
According to the party's senior leader Bharat Kumar Raut, "In the World Cup, teams from various countries are playing. Hence, there is no opposition; even if they (Pakistan) get to the finals, we will not oppose them."
Bhau Korgaonkar, Sena's vibhag pramukh from Kurla constituency, managed to get 15 projectors and will screen the matches across the area.
"We have shown all the matches in which India has played, and this one, where we will play Pakistan, will also be shown," he said.
Pandurang Sakpal, Sena's vibhag pramukh (zonal head) from south Mumbai, was not so lucky. "We wanted to use projectors and other media, but obtaining permissions was a major hurdle. So we decided to let go of the idea," he said.
MNS
Mega screening planned by a south Mumbai MLA at Sewree ground, complete with a DJ, Nashik band and digital fireworks
Regarding the screenings, Raut remained non-committal, saying, "We haven't asked anyone or anything regarding screening the match officially in the party."
The new-found agreeability comes on the same day when party organ Saamna criticises PM Manmohan Singh for inviting the Pakistani Prime Minister and President to watch the Indo-Pak semi-final.
An article in Monday's edition of the mouthpiece said that while Singh is at it, he should also get two tickets for 26/11 convict Ajmal Qasab and the 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, both currently on death row.
MNS ready for D-day
The MNS, meanwhile, had never expressed objections to any team playing anywhere.
So, sort of one up on his uncle's party, Raj Thackeray has his MLAs preparing hammer-and-tongs for screening the semi-final in their constituencies, whipping a bond with Mumbaikars.
One such mega screening is planned by a south Mumbai MLA at the Prabodhankar Thackrey Udyan in Sewree.
The event will be organised by professionals, and will have a DJ and a music band from Nashik. Digital fireworks will greet every boundary or six an Indian player hits on screen.
Bala Nandgaonkar, senior leader and MLA said, "We want to make it big with cricket fans. Our party head Raj Thackeray has not instructed our MLAs but most of them are organising screenings in their constituencies."
Chetan Pednekar, main coordinator of the event, said, "We want the entire ground to be packed to enjoy the excitement of the India-Pakistan cricket war."
The MNS has approached the BMC and the Mumbai Police for all necessary permissions, he added.
Banners inviting Mumbaikars to come and watch the India-Pakistan semi-final have sprung up across the city
The others
As the Senas try to cash in on the World Cup frenzy to connect with voters, the Congress and NCP leaders are not lagging behind.
Kripashankar Singh, Mumbai Regional Congress Committee chief, said, "We are also planning on arranging big screens for party workers at our Mumbai headquarters. In addition to this, several local leaders will follow it in their constituencies."
Samajwadi Party, though, is doing nothing. Senior leader Rais Shaikh said, "Cricket is too frivolous an issue for a political party to give importance."
Police permits
With public screenings of such a high-octave match at countless locations in the city, cops are bound to keep a tab. Any public screening requires a permit from the cops.
According to Rajkumar Vhatkar, DCP (operations), "Permission from the local police station is mandatory for any such gatherings or events, if they are organised at a public place. In case of private screenings, no question of police permission arises."
He added, "Since permissions will be handled at the level of the local police station or the DCP's office, the office of the police commissioner does not have any data regarding the total number of applications received for such events on Wednesday."
Official Holiday
Reliance Infra has declared March 30 as an official holiday.
Abracadabra
MET college is planning to get an illusionist over on the institute's premises during the semifinal . If he predicts the winner correctly, the college will invite him again for the World Cup final.
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