Even before the World Cup began, politicians started rushing to the Ministry of External Affairs, with plans to go to South Africa and watch the matches. Many were trying to find government patronage and the “helping hand of the Indian embassy” at Pretoria to take care of them. But External Affairs Minister S M Krishna categorically told his office that no such requests should be entertained and whoever wanted to go as a tourist should make his own arrangements. A disheartened Congressman, who returned empty-handed from South Block, told reporters Krishna’s office was not even helping him in getting a visa quickly.
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