Politics and sport should not be mixed,says PM

In his first remarks on the scandal in Indian cricket,Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Friday said politics and sport should not be mixed. The comment reflected caution but also concern over developments in a tournament whose chairman Rajeev Shukla is also a minister of the union.

I wouldnt like to comment on this issue, Singh said when asked if the government should lean on BCCI to act against its president. This matter8230; is under investigation,and it would not be proper for me to comment8230; I would only hope that politics and sports dont get mixed up.

MoS in the PMO V Narayanasamy later gave an indication of the governments mood: Politicians should keep away from all sports events. It should be left to sportspersons8230; Politicians should not be part of sports bodies. All IPL-related controversies should be thoroughly probed and guilty should be punished.