The Shiv Sena has criticised Sachin Tendulkar once again for his remarks about Mumbai belonging to India and contrasted him with fellow-cricketer Sunil Gavaskar in terms of their efforts to have Maharashtra represented in the Indian team.

The Sena said Tendulkar had not helped Maharashtrian players while Gavaskar had ensured Mumbai and Maharashtra players entered the team. It also tried to corner the Raj Thackeray-led MNS for its silence on the controversy.

Sena chief Bal Thackeray had taken on Tendulkar for his remarks about Mumbai belonging to India. Thackeray was then criticised by leaders across the political establishment.

“Sachin is great as a player and it must be said that he belongs to the country, because there is no example of Sachin having helped any (Marathi) player as a Maharashtrian. When Vinod Kambli was not helped by him, what can be the chances for others!” said the weekly column on Sunday by Saamna executive editor and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut, who is also the party spokesperson.

Of Gavaskar, he said, “When Gavaskar was the captain of the Indian cricket team, half the team was drawn from Mumbai and Maharashtra.” Raut cited the example of Suru Nayak and Zulfikar Parkar and credited Gavaskar for their selection. “In this sense, Gavaskar seems like a true Maharashtrian,” said Raut, adding that the team in which Sachin played did not represent the country, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) by the board’s own admission.

“Many upholders of Marathi preferred to lie low on this issue, because Sachin is a popular Maharashtrian. But the nature of the statements made by our Sachin, Abu Azmi and Jaya Bachchan on Mumbai are the same,” said Raut in his column Rokhthok (Upfront).

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