BJP to rename Vinoo Mankad, Polly Umrigar gates at Wankhede Stadium for Devendra Fadnavis’ swearing-in ceremony

Oct 30, 2014

The swearing-in ceremony of the recently elected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Maharashtra will be held at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. This has caused quite a storm in the cricketing circles as Wankhede, a Test venue, will play host to a political function for the very first time in its history. Moreover, the BJP is renaming the Vinoo Mankad Gate and the Polly Umrigar Gate after two of its party figures.

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Mid-DAY reported that the gates may be named after Shivaji Mankar and Hashu Advani. This will be done only for one day. BJP’s Mumbai spokesperson, Niranjan Shetty told the newspaper, “This is not a permanent change; it is only for the oath taking ceremony. We are not changing the gates. It is just an old custom we follow.”

However, Rahul Mankad, the son of Vinoo Mankad, has slammed the move. He said, “This is most bizarre! I am speechless. Having said that, nothing surprises me about Mumbai in general and Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) in particular anymore. I don’t think any senior MCA administrator has any cricketing knowledge or even a background.” Mankad then added, “Guests cannot decide how the house is run!”

MCA’s maidan secretary Nadeem Memon, is also against this move. He also said that hosting such a function spoils the ground and then they have to repair.