Opposition in Maharashtra Slams BJP, BCCI Over India-Pakistan Asia Cup Match

Mumbai, September 12, 2025: Opposition parties in Maharashtra launched sharp attacks on the BJP and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday over the India-Pakistan Asia Cup clash scheduled for September 14. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray questioned whether “blood and cricket can flow together,” while the Congress and NCP (SP) accused the ruling party of double standards.

Thackeray alleged that the BCCI’s eagerness to play Pakistan was driven by money, TV revenue, and advertisement deals. He urged Indian broadcasters to boycott the game, recalling Pakistan’s repeated terror attacks inside India. “Had the real BJP been in power, it would not have allowed this. The BJP has changed its ideology,” he said, reiterating his view on social media that cricket and blood cannot coexist.

Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant called the decision to allow the match a “diplomatic failure” and an insult to families of soldiers martyred in the Pahalgam terror attack. NCP (SP) spokesperson Jitendra Awhad said the government’s stance had exposed its “dual standards,” noting that the BJP often frames its politics around India-Pakistan tensions.

Responding to the criticism, Maharashtra minister and BCCI official Ashish Shelar maintained that international tournaments cannot be dictated by bilateral political disputes. “Our stand has always been clear that India will not tour Pakistan and vice versa. But we cannot stop the team from participating in international competitions,” he said, also accusing Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders of taking an “anti-India” position.

The controversy has added a political edge to the much-anticipated match, with opposition parties pressing the government to justify its silence on playing a country accused of sponsoring terrorism.