AGARTALA, Sep 8 (TIWN): Nationwide scrimmage for Olympic stars are being manipulated by politicians to exploit free publicity for their parties. India’s first woman Olympian Gymnast Dipa Karmakar, who missed Olympic Bronze by a whisker of 0.015 as Simone Biles of the US won the gold with an average of 15.966, while Maria Paseka (15.253) of Russia and Switzerland’s Giulia Steingrubber (15.216) took home the silver and bronze medals respectively. India still with the hope that in next Olympic Dipa may get a gold even though 23 yrs old Dipa will turn 27 at 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Apart from Gymnastics and accolades, what is surprising that, all political parties from CPI-M, TMC are trying their best to project Dipa on their side to reap political mileage. Upon arrival from Rio to Agartala, making seated Dipa in Agartala Airport for 3 hours, CPI-M took her to Astabol’s empty Stadium and CM and his Ministers delivered their speeches (in empty hand, no cash prizes) praising the state govt. and blaming the central govt just one day before Dipa had to sit for her tough MA Exam at Tripura University.

CPI-M tensed up even though communist party felicitated Dipa & her coach Bisweswar Nandi and promoted to rank of Asst Director, Deputy Director Positions – but political tug of war targeted Dipa to use her popularity for political benefits in Bengal & Tripura. 

But to get Dipa Karmankar in West Bengal , Mamata Banerjee after declaring her as the ambassador for WB Kanyashree scheme, now sending Mukul Roy to felicitate Dipa Karmakar on Thursday.

In a press meet Mukul Roy said on Monday, that he is again returning state on Sep 8 and will felicitate Dipa in her home. Although before Rio Olympic qualifying, nobody was concerned about Dipa, but suddenly all the sympathies for this sports star has been emerged eventhough she missed the medal by a whisker of 0.15 points, but all the State Govts are inviting Dipa to their state.

Telengana Govt declared Rs 50 Lakhs cash prize for Dipa Karmakar and Hyderabad district badminton association president Chamundeshwari Nath presented BMW car to Dipa. Sachin Tendulkar handed over the BMW key to Dipa Karmakar.

MP Govt. also offered Dipa to bear her all her ‘World-Class’ training till the next Olympic and she can fully focus on her practice for Tokyo Olympic-2020 at Madhya Pradesh.

Tripura CM also invited Dipa along with her family & coach for a dinner at his own residence for the first time after Rio Olympic but scam-rich Manik Sarkar or his CPI-M Govt didn’t gift a penny to Olympic Star.

But when Dipa arrived after winning Khel Ratna, nobody went to welcome Dipa at Airport. However, now political parties rather than wishing for Dipa’s performance for the next Olympic, is now busy to use Dipa’s popularity in their sides to reap political benefits.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has named Dipa Karmakar as the icon for WB Kanyashree scheme; India’s former Cricketer Virender Sehwag has requested the government to name a special train and plane after gymnast Dipa Karmakar and athlete Lalita Babar in order to honour their efforts at the ongoing Rio Olympics.

Interesting matter is that whereas Telengana Govt has given Dipa Rs. 50 lakhs, Sachin Tendulkar gave her BMW and before Olympic Modi govt gave her 1.3 crores, but ruling CPI-M Govt yet to give anything to Dipa.

On Thursday Mukul Roy after arriving state, will visit Dipa’s home to felicitate her.