The State government, which had announced that the Maharashtra Bhushan award for this year would be given to renowned cricketer Sunil Gavaskar at a function in Nagpur on June 26, may change the programme venue due to pressure from influential politicians and the awardee himself.

According to information, Minister for Cultural Affairs Pramod Navalkar has made it a prestige issue insisting that the award ceremony be held at Mumbai. He is reportedly supported by several politicians and a host of cricketers and celebrated personalities in the field of art and culture.

This will be the third ceremony of the Maharashtra Bhushan award initiated by the saffron government. The highest award of the State carries a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh and a citation. The earlier awardees includeveteran Marathi writer P L Deshpande and legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar.

Insisting that the award ceremony be held at Mumbai, Gavaskar, who is presently in London, pointed out that as he had essentially been a Mumbaikar

, it would be proper to organise such function in the State capital only.

``My cricketing development took place in Mumbai and it was Mumbai's cricketing environment that made me the cricketer I was. All my friends who helped me grow up to be what I am are from Mumbai as also my parents and relations,'' he said while justifying the choice of Mumbai as the venue of the programme.

He added, ``This award is a felicitation not just for me but for all those who made a contribution to my career. As such I would be most thankful if the government of Maharashtra would reconsider the venue and have the function in Mumbai''. Gavaskar also requested the government that the date of the award ceremony be postponed in view of the monsoon.

The locals here, however, have taken a strongexception over the hostile attitude of the cricketer over the selection of the venue. ``The award is not just a tribute to a great cricketer for his contribution in the field of sports, but as a pride of Maharashtra. Why should it be confined to Mumbai alone,'' they question.

A section of people also felt that some politicians, particularly Pramod Navalkar, who wanted that programme to be held at Mumbai, had instigated Gavaskar for doing so.

If the venue is changed in the wake of Gavaskar's recent request, the issue is likely to rake up a controversy.