Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut.
Credit: PTI Photo
Mumbai: In the backdrop of the Asia Cup India-Pakistan match, Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut on Monday alleged that Rs 1.5 lakh crore gambling took place over the match between the arch rivals of which Rs 25,000 crore went to the neighbouring country.
The match was fixed, claimed Raut, a close aide of former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) head Uddhav Thackeray.
“The match should not have taken place…whether it is Dubai, Abu Dhabi or in Trump’s maidan…it was at the instance of the government that the match was played. The very fact that this match was held is a matter of shame,” Raut told reporters in Mumbai.
Raut also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and his son Jay Shah, who is the International Cricket Council Chairman.
“The team was forced to play the match,” he said, adding that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was not very keen to play with Pakistan.
"The match was fixed…there was gambling to the tune of Rs 1.5 lakh crore. Rs 25,000 crore went to Pakistan. Amit Shah’s son gave money to Pakistan. It’s their strategy to fund Pakistan to strengthen terrorism (network) so that they attack us and they (BJP) get political benefit,” Raut claimed.
He, however, did not back it with any evidence.