Home Minister P Chidambaram today made it clear that some re-scheduling of Indian Premier League matches was "unavoidable" and said that he was trying his best to ensure that the second edition of the high-profile event is held smoothly.
"The IPL schedule and election schedule virtually overlaps. When the IPL announced the schedule, the election dates were not declared. When the EC announced the dates, naturally they did not take note of it. The schedule was overlapping completely," Chidambaram told a press conference here.
"I did not say that IPL should be postponed. I am trying to help them and will help IPL hold the matches. Some rescheduling seems unavoidable", he said.
The second edition of the tournament has come under a cloud of uncertainty in the wake of the deadly terror attack on Sri Lankan team in Lahore and the general elections in India which coincide with the league that starts April 10.
On the terror attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore on Tuesday, Chidambaram said "we feel sorry. We condemn it. Even if it was on Pakistan players, we would have condemned it.
The Home Minister said India was a safe country and having cricket matches would not be a problem.
"I want cricket to be played in India. Cricket is safe and the players are safe in India", he said.
A decision on whether the IPL can go ahead with a revised schedule would be taken after the central government discusses the matter with the host states and the Election Commission.
The IPL organisers have conveyed to the Home Ministry that they do not require any central forces for the security.
The Home Ministry has passed on the new schedule to the states and is waiting for their response as to whether they need para-military forces for matches or not.
The states where the IPL matches are scheduled to be held are Delhi, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
