The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for allegedly spreading misinformation about the Asia Cup final between India and Pakistan, proposing that match revenues be redirected to aid families of victims from the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. AAP Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bharadwaj shared video evidence showing Indian captain Rohit Sharma shaking hands with Pakistan's counterpart post-match, countering online claims of no interaction. The ruling BJP has yet to respond officially to the allegations.

Bharadwaj, in an AAP statement, estimated the broadcasting and advertising revenue from Sunday's Dubai final at Rs 690 crore. He suggested allocating these funds to the 26 families affected by the Pahalgam attack, where militants targeted tourists and locals, could provide each household Rs 19 to 25 crore in compensation. The proposal highlights ongoing political friction over India's decision to compete against Pakistan following the attack, which killed 26 and drew widespread condemnation. Opposition parties, including AAP and Congress, have accused the BJP-led central government of politicizing sports while failing to address security lapses.

During a media briefing, Bharadwaj emphasized the videos' role in clarifying the post-match sequence, including events before and after the press conference, to combat what he called deliberate disinformation. He argued that such transparency is essential amid heightened Indo-Pak tensions, exacerbated by the cricket rivalry. The Congress, meanwhile, has separately slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for likening the Asia Cup triumph to a military operation, viewing it as insensitive to the Pahalgam tragedy's gravity.

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India clinched its ninth Asia Cup title with a five-wicket victory over Pakistan in a nail-biting final, captivating millions despite the backdrop of controversy. The event, hosted in Dubai due to regional logistics, underscores cricket's enduring pull in South Asia even as political narratives intensify. As demands for victim support grow, the episode reflects broader debates on blending sports, security, and state aid in a polarized landscape.

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