Tripura royal expresses anger over Mustafizur's Rs 9.2 crore IPL bid

Tripura royal scion and founder of 'Tipra Motha' party Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma has expressed anger over Bangladesh cricketer Mustafizur Rahman being bought for Rs 9 crore 20 lakh in the IPL. He said while foreign cricketers are bought at high prices, talented cricketers from India's north-east region are repeatedly neglected.

In a statement on Friday (20 December), Pradyot Kishore criticised the policy of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and IPL authorities.

He questioned why crores of rupees are being spent on foreign players while cricketers like Manishankar Murasingh from Tripura do not get opportunities despite good performances. In his view, such step-motherly treatment towards players from the north-east region despite consistent success in domestic cricket cannot be accepted.

Pradyot Kishore said when a Bangladeshi cricketer is getting Rs 9 crore 20 lakh and talented cricketers from north-east India remain neglected, as Indians we should ask if we are becoming a bit too flexible.

He also mentioned the recent situation in Bangladesh. Pradyot said attacks are happening on minorities, threats are being given outside embassies, even hateful statements are coming against regions like north-east India. Despite this, are we feeling comfortable giving crores of rupees to citizens of that country?

He said India boycotts Pakistan citing national sentiment and security yet continues business with Bangladesh. His question is whether business is bigger than national security and self-respect.

He also criticised the silence of other political parties in India. The Tipra Motha leader said are we not Indians first? Then why are others silent on this issue.

Referring to BCCI as the richest cricket body in the world, Pradyot Kishore said time has come for self-criticism on where their importance and priority lie. Whether national honour and security come first or only business, this is a matter for consideration.