Merchant waiting for acknowledgement from Rahul

Mumbai: Yet to get a reply from Rahul Gandhi, two-time Asian champion cueist Yasin Merchant today said he

expects at least an acknowledgement of his letter from the AICC General Secretary. Merchant recently wrote an emotional letter to Gandhi questioning the selection criteria for the Padma Awards and said his international achievements were "totally ignored". Merchant said he was confident of "at least getting an acknowledgement from the Congress leader." "I have not received any acknowledgement yet. But he (Rahul) has been touring a lot, of late. So let`s see. But they can`t refuse to acknowledge it now. The whole India has read the letter. But if they don`t acknowledge it even now, I will feel very sorry for the sport," Merchant said. "I had written to the Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh) and to (Congress president) Sonia Gandhi also. He (Rahul) is young, he is sincere and I have faith in him. That`s why I have written to him now," he added. Asked what sort of end did he wish to this controversy, Merchant said, "First, I want an acknowledgement. Secondly, they should apologise and concede that they have made a mistake and assure me that I`ll get the award next year. But even if I get it, it will be a very bitter end to the tale." PTI