CWG situation sad, want Games' success as an Indian: Advani

NDA working chairman and senior BJP leader L K Advani today criticised the shortcomings in the Commonwealth Games preparations in the last few months but said as an Indian he wished that the event would be a success.

"Even in the last session of Parliament I tried not to criticise the Commonwealth Games though some of my party colleagues spoke on it. As an Indian I would want that these Games are successful," Advani said.

"Although sadly today the situation is such that there are doubts about whether the Games will be held. If they are held then that itself will be considered a big achievement," he added.

Advani was speaking at a programme organised by the International Lions Club. Earlier, he had inaugurated a cartoon exhibition, named "Wealth Cartoons" by famous cartoonist Irfan. The senior BJP leader also referred to the pun in the name of the exhibition.

Advani said "6-8 months" before any event of such magnitude reports in the media mostly refer to the positive points like the work completed and the how it would be an advantage to the sportspersons of the host country.

"But here the only positive reports that one hears of are that some of the countries are finally coming (to participate). This is a very sad thing," Advani said.

BJP and NDA leaders had strongly criticised Organising Committee head and Congress MP Suresh Kalmadi, Sports Minister M S Gill and the Delhi Government for the shortcomings and corruption in the CWG 2010 projects.

The principal opposition even staged a walkout in the Lok Sabha when Gill said during his presentation on the CWG debate that any information needed can be sought through an RTI application.

The recent collapse of a foot overbridge at Jawaharlal Nehru stadium and other negative reports about lack of cleanliness have also drawn criticism from the opposition.

First Published: Sep 26, 2010 19:36 IST