Sports Minister M S Gill today disfavoured the suggestion that India should bid for Olympics even if the Commonwealth Games next year are organized successfully.
"Some of our colleagues said casually that we should be bidding for Olympics. I'm not sure India should be," Gill said in the Rajya Sabha while replying to members' concerns over delay in preparations for the Commonwealth Games.
Gill's remarks came in response to a statement made by cine-star turned Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan, who said the Commonwealth Games give an opportunity to bid for the Olympic.
"Look at the poverty in this country...Look at its size... China has spent 50 billion dollars for Olympics. If you are ready to spend (that amount).... There is a certain class of people, who like and enjoy it because it is a good entertainment for them," Gill said.
The minister's remark prompted angry reactions from Bachchan, who asked him not make personal comment, a charge Gill denied.
"It's not a personal comment. It's policy," Gill said.
