MS Dhoni finds himself in middle of political crossfire over Shimla visit

Former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is having a free time ahead of the Asia Cup next month, has found himself in the middle of a political controversy. He visited Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, for a few days along with his wife Sakshi for an Ad shoot. But since the ace cricketer was declared a ‘state guest’ by the BJP government of Himachal Pradesh, the opposition Congress lashed out at it saying taxpayers’ money was being wasted on him.

The Dhonis arrived at Shimla’s Jubbarhatti Airport in a chartered flight and left for Charabara’s Wild Flower Hall on Wednesday. The former skipper was also seen enjoying a ride on a Royal Enfield while film personalities Shoojit Sircar and Pankaj Kapoor were seen accompanying him. According to reports, the BJP government of Himachal decided to bear the expenses of the Dhonis and the Congress was not okay with it.

BJP & Congress spar over ‘state guest’ Dhoni

“I respect Dhoni both as a cricketer and person but his personal trip should not have been funded by the government. If the same honour was being given to other Indian athletes then you can argue in favour of it but I believe that is not the case. Just because Dhoni is a cricketer and a former captain, he shouldn’t be getting the leverage to use the tax-payers’ money,” Himachal Pradesh Congress president Sukhvinder Singh was quoted by ABP News as saying.

The ruling party, however, has a different take on the matter. State Cabinet Minister Vipin Parmar told, “I see no harm in the state government honouring a champion sportsperson like him.” He also said that the BJP government would not look away from conferring other Indian athletes with such ‘state guest’ honours. “There is no question of favouring Dhoni because he is a cricketer. We would be more than happy to confer the same honours to other Indian athletes when they visit our state,” he said.

Dhoni last played for India in the three-match ODI series in England which India lost 1-2 after the former skipper came under heavy criticism for his slow batting rate and questions were being raised whether the 37-year-old should be considered an automatic choice in the team any more.

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