Taking A dig at the Congress for its “hue and cry” on the Himachal government’s decision to give “state guest” stature to cricketer and former Indian team captain M S Dhoni, currently in the town for a commercial shoot, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Wednesday asked the Opposition to “think big”.
“I am pained to read the reports in some newspapers and an unwarranted criticism by the Congress leaders, especially PCC president Sukhwinder Sukhu, about giving state guest status to Dhoni. Sukhu ji think big and open up your horizon. If that’s the level of thinking how will we promote tourism. After all, Dhoni is an international figure. He doesn’t belong to any political party. Can’t we extend him a simple courtesy on his visit to the state,” asked Thakur.
Thakur clarified that though Dhoni will be in Shimla till August 31 for a commercial shoot, he was given the stature of a state guest to facilitate police to handle his personal security.
“This was important in view of his celebrity status. The other expenditure on his stay, local transport and arrival/return is being borne by himself.”
