I did not invite Azhar: Naidu

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, DEC. 24. The Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, on Friday, said he had not invited Mohd. Azharuddin, former Indian cricket captain, to his Iftar dinner here last week.

Mr. Naidu gave this clarification when asked to comment on criticism by the BJP against the participation of Azharuddin in the Chief Minister's dinner at Quli Qutb Shah stadium.

The BJP's youth wing leader, Mr. K. Naresh, had questioned the propriety of inviting the cricketer to an official dinner when he was under inquiry by the CBI for match-fixing and when the Centre was contemplating to withdraw the Arjuna Award given to him.

Mr. Naidu said some people were trying to create a needless controversy over the issue and blowing it out of proportion. He said it was not possible for him to keep track of people attending the dinner nor to ask anyone to leave once he was inside.

Asked whether the Government would withdraw the facilities extended to Azharuddin, he said these were given when the Congress was in power. The Government had honoured Karanam Malleswari for winning an Olympic weighlifting medal. If sportspersons faced problems subsequently, there was little the Government could do, he added.

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