By IANS,
New Delhi : Expressing confidence that India would host “the best ever” Commonwealth Games, Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy Monday said the allegations of misappropriation of funds for the mega-event were “preliminary observations” and shouldn’t be blown out of proportion.
“What we need today is the complete focus (on conducting the event) cutting across all party lines and focus on to deliver, good, if not spectacular (games),” Reddy told the Lok Sabha.
Reddy said he “congratulates” former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee because the decision to host the Commonwealth Games was taken in 2003 when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was in power.
“The games are blessed by Atal Ji. I congratulate him,” he said.
Replying to a sharp criticism from former cricketer and BJP leader Kirti Azad, the minister said “you will feel proud” visiting the Commonwealth Games village as the village “like this” has never been created even during the 2006 edition of the Games in Melbourne.
“I can say with confidence that we will be staging the best Commonwealth Games ever. Kirti Azad, don’t be pessimistic. I am sure in the winter session you will have some words of praise after the event,” he said, amid thumping of desks by Congress MPs.
Reddy said he welcomed the media criticism about the Games preparation as “they are doing their job”.
“But this should not blind us to the bigger picture that we are on the verge of hosting the Games. These are preliminary observations and should not be blown into a scam,” he said, referring to allegations in the media that crores of rupees have been misappropriated in the name of the event.