The Indian cricket board Sunday distanced itself from spokesperson Rajiv Shukla's comments on Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray for picking on Sachin Tendulkar.
In a press statement, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Shashank Mahohar said vice-president Shukla's comments were not made on behalf of the board.
"Rajeev Shukla has reacted to the comments made by the Shiv Sena chief on Sachin Tendulkar in his individual capacity, and not on behalf of the BCCI," the statement said.
Thackeray, last week, had taken an umbrage at Tendulkar's statement that he was "a proud Maharashtrian but an Indian first" and "Mumbai belongs to all".
In retaliation, Shukla had lashed out at the Sena supremo saying his comments are uncalled for.
"They themselves do not know about the legacy of Maharsahtra. They needed to be reminded of freedom fighters like Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Gopal Krishna Gokhale. They are getting into this kind of politics just to get votes. The whole issue has been politicised," Shukla had said. "No Marathi will support Shiv Sena if they talk like this."