Udhay tells Velumani to ask Jay Shah for IPL tickets

CHENNAI: State Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin was at his witty best on Tuesday when he advised AIADMK whip SP Velumani to ‘get’ tickets for IPL matches from ‘friend’ Amit Shah’s son and BCCI secretary Jay Shah.

Replying to the debate on the demand for grants for the Sports and Youth Welfare Department in the Assembly, Udhayanidhi said, “AIADMK whip, brother Velumani, asked for tickets for IPL matches happening at Chepauk (MA Chidambaram stadium). No matches took place in Chepauk for four years. I don’t know who you gave the tickets to.” He was responding to a specific query of Velumani who asked the Sports Minister to give complimentary tickets for MLAs

“IPL is conducted by the BCCI. Your close friend Amit Shah’s son Jay Shah is the head of it. He will not pay heed to us. If you do, he will. You talk to him and get five tickets each to all MLAs. We will even pay for it. Otherwise you might account it for something else,” added Udhayanidhi.

No Tamils, MLA wants CSK banned

Earlier, participating in the debate, PMK MLA Venkatesan sought a ban on Chennai Super Kings. He alleged that the IPL team from Chennai was not accommodating talented local cricketers despite availability. The team, however, was using the name of Chennai to make money, the MLA added, reasoning the demand for a ban on CSK.