Indian paperback king slams Delhi Games 'bribery'

THE Delhi Commonwealth Games have been branded the biggest and most blatant exercise in corruption since the country won independence six decades ago by best-selling Indian author and youth icon Chetan Bhagat.

The writer and commentator, who has sold more than 4 million books, called on Indians to boycott the event as a protest against bribery and sleaze.

Mr Bhagat's stinging attack came soon after Delhi's Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, revealed it would take until the middle of September to finish off Commonwealth Games-related work - by when athletes will start arriving for the event.

She blamed incessant monsoon rains for the latest delay, joking that the rain god must be ''unhappy'' with Delhi. ''If the rain stops and the sun comes out, we should be able to complete the work by September 10-15,'' she was quoted as saying.

Similar deadlines set for March 31, June 30 and July 31 have been missed.

Full report here The Age