New Delhi, Mar 19 : The owner of the IPL franchise Bangalore Royals, Vijay Mallya, on Thursday backed the tournament to pass off smoothly.

Addressing reporters here, Mallya said India had all the resources required to provide security during the tournament.

“I think we have a duty to provide the security and I believe we have all the resources to provide the security. I have said to many people who have asked me this question, particularly the international media that there is absolutely no question of comparing security in India with that of Pakistan. I reminded them that the English cricket team actually came back to play after the Mumbai terrorist attack. And I think, that the IPL will go on very smoothly without any nasty incidents and it will be blockbuster of the tournament as we all expect,” he added.

The authorities want the Indian cricket board to reschedule the event, as security has to be provided for the general elections scheduled to be held between April 16 and May 13.

Mallya said match schedules and polling dates would not clash and there would not be any problem during the tournament.

“As you know elections need protection and I think adjustments have been made to schedule the IPL matches and the polling dates. So, there should not be any problem at all,” Mallya said.

IPL sources said that Mumbai, Bangalore, Mohali, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Dharamshala were confirmed as venues for the event and were expected to get security clearance from various State governments.

Nagpur and Raipur are also being considered as venues, but no final decision has been taken as yet. (ANI)