Awarding Bharat Ratna to Tendulkar was a big mistake: Uma Bharti

BJP vice president Uma Bharti on Thursday said no cricketer who has taken part in the IPL auction should be considered for the Bharat Ratna award.

"Awarding Bharat Ratna to Sachin Tendulkar was a big mistake and after IPL, no cricketer should be considered for the top civilian honour," she said, adding that she was personally not against him.

Players who were auctioned in IPL should not be considered for the top honour, Bharti said. "How a cricketer who had sold himself in Rs 4-5 crore in IPL auction could be given the Bharat Ratna?" she asked.

The BJP leader said she likes the game and during her tenure as Union Sports Minister she had even recommended a number of former cricketers for the prestigious Arjuna award.