In the midst of cricket season, when fans eagerly watch IPL stars on television or flock to stadiums, politicians are no exception. An ongoing tussle between BJP MP Manish Jaiswal and the party’s Sadar legislator Pradeep Prasad over a cricket match has turned into an open duel in Hazaribag.
The Incident
On May 18, during a friendly match between the Hazaribag District Cricket Association (HDCA) team and a Tata team, MLA Pradeep Prasad arrived at the venue and expressed strong displeasure over not being invited. He alleged deliberate neglect by the cricket association, which is chaired by MP Manish Jaiswal. Prasad even threatened to stage a sit-in protest and stop the match, surprising the crowd that had gathered to watch.
MLA's Grievances
Prasad claimed that despite representing nearly five lakh people, he was repeatedly ignored by the association. He pointed out that while invitation cards carried names of both the MP and the MLA, only Jaiswal was formally informed. “Events are organised regularly, but I am not even told,” he said, accusing the association of disrespect.
Association's Clarification
HDCA secretary Bunty Tiwari clarified on Wednesday that no insult was intended. He explained that information about cricket matches is usually shared through the association’s social media group, implying that the omission was not deliberate.
MP's Response
MP Manish Jaiswal responded by saying that the MLA did not approach him at the stadium. “How would I have gone to speak to him?” he asked. He added that he was willing to play the role of an elder brother but would not “bow before an unruly younger brother.” Jaiswal noted that while Prasad had skipped previous meetings, steps would now be taken to send individual invites. He stressed that the body must function collectively and not as a “personal fiefdom.”
Background
The HDCA is chaired by MP Jaiswal, and the match was part of a series of friendly games. The incident highlights underlying tensions between the two BJP leaders, which have now spilled into the public domain. The association has promised to ensure better communication in the future to avoid such conflicts.
