| Why discriminate among players Mr CM | | Songs in praise of Rasool, not a word for Raina? | |  Abodh Sharma
Jammu, Jan 28: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has vehemently denied charges of discrimination leveled against him by his adversaries, but time and again he has through his action or the lack of it, given them enough ammunition to attack him.
The latest in the context is Omar's stoic silence over selection of Ankita Raina, the first girl from the state to be included in the National tennis team. Ankita was named as replacement for the injured Indian Tennis ace Sania Mirza in the forth coming Federation cup tournament. Weeks ago, Omar had been tweeting repeatedly on the inclusion of valley cricketer Parvez Rasool, in the Indian A team that took on the visiting England Cricket team recently.
"It is heartening to know that Parvez Rasool, has been picked up in the India A side that shall take on England team on January 6" was Omar's first tweet following Rasool's selection. In his second tweet, Omar had a message for the selectors. "Parvez is one of the best all rounders in the country", the tweet read.
However, while The Chief Minister was gaga over Parvez Rasool, there has not been a word from him over the inclusion of Valley girl Ankita Raina in the Indian tennis team for the Federation cup. Ankita Raina and Prerna Bhambri were named reserve players for the women`s team event, beginning February 6 in Astana, Kazakhstan, when Sania Mirza was ruled out due to an injury.
In the backdrop of allegations of discrimination, Omar was not very long ago caught on the wrong foot when he and several of his Ministers shuttled around distributing relief to the fire victims of Frislan village in Pahalgam, but extended little more than lip service to the families of over 22 people killed in Dudu Bus mishap which took place on the same night. Pertinently, there was no loss of life in Frislan while as many as 22 people were killed in Chenani.
However, politics apart, at least sportspersons expect a level playing field from the Chief Minister, who also happens to be the president of the J&K State Sports Council.
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