KKR felicitation not politically motivated: SRK

Kolkata: As critics slammed Mamata Banerjee for giving a rousing welcome to a private corporate team like KKR, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan Tuesday defended the West Bengal chief minister`s action.

There is no harm in being happy and sharing happiness. Nobody should criticise it. It`s alright to be happy," said Shahrukh, the co-owner of the Kolkata Knight Riders which lifted the Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy. "Let`s not be political. It has been done because we all are happy. There is no wrong if we bring a small pinch of happiness in the city of joy," he said. King Khan, who is also Bengal`s brand ambassador, along with the KKR team was felicitated by Banerjee for winning the IPL tournament. With a frenzied crowd of thousands cheering on, KKR took a victory parade from south Kolkata`s Hazra Crossing on a flower-bedecked open top trailer. Around 70,000 people gathered at the Eden Gardens where the team was given a civic reception whereas 20,000-30,000 stood outside to have a glimpse of Shah Rukh and Gautam Gambhir. Banerjee`s gala felicitation at Eden Gardens had drawn severe criticism from a section of the people who had slammed the state government for spending so much money on the felicitation of a private cricket team. IANS