MUMBAI: The Wankhede Stadium ground did not suffer damage after hosting its first political event on Friday, but former MCA members doubt if the cricketing ground can retain its sanctity.

Most of them feared that allowing the stadium to be used for a swearing-in might set a precedent. Ravi Mandrekar, president of Hindu Gymkhana Cricket Club and a former MCA member, was upset over the use of Wankhede Stadium for a non-sporting activity. “Not a single cricketer showed courage to refuse the invitation or even register their protest. Politicians will have to realize that cricketers are not happy with their decision. The very same cricketers will later criticize the MCA for bad wickets. The function could even have been held at the BKC ground,” said Mandrekar. He also expressed surprise that the ground was given for a function without any charges.

Another former member pointed out that NCP chief Sharad Pawar, who had already declared his support to the BJP government, was also heading the MCA. “So there is no question of opposition from the MCA, but no one is happy with what happened,” he said.

Asked about the concerns expressed by former MCA members, Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar said, “The swearing-in was organized by the state government, it was not a party function.”

Interestingly, the Mumbai BJP unit, which worked to make Friday’s swearing-in ceremony a success, was missing from Saturday’s clean-up. “We were told 200 party workers will come to supervise and help clean the ground, but no one came,” said a representative of the contractor at the stadium. But Shelar, who participated in the Swachha Mumbai Prabodhan Abhiyan in Bandra, said, “A contractor was given the responsibility of cleaning Wankhede after the event.”