Mamata to SRK's rescue, asks MCA to reconsider decision

The Mumbai Cricket Association's (MCA's) five-year ban on Bollywood actor and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) co-owner Shah Rukh Khan took a political turn on Friday with the West Bengal government coming out in full support of the star against the cricket body's decision. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said Khan was the brand ambassador of her state and she appealed to the MCA to reconsider its decision. Referring to the Wankhede incident of Wednesday night, she said such incidents happen because of children. The MCA headed by Congress leader and Union Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh had on Friday morning decided to impose the five-year ban on SRK for his alleged misbehaviour with its officials. Prior to Banerjee, her Sports Minister Madan Mitra said Shah Rukh was the "nicest person" and "if a father watches his daughter being misbehaved in front of his eyes, he is sure to react". Mitra asked Shah Rukh not to worry about the Wankhede ban adding "he is more than welcome in Eden Gardens and will get an ovation". In fact, reacting to the ban, Mitra said, "Goondas belonging to a political party had vandalised Wankhede... Was their leader banned from Wankhede?"