Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled a life-size statue of former union minister and president of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), the late Arun Jaitley, at the premises of Ferozeshah Kotla ground here on Monday.

Made by noted sculptor Ram Sutar — the 96-year-old man behind the “Statue of Unity” depicting Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Gujarat — the statue is the first for any politician-cum-sports administrator at a sporting facility in recent times.

The event was to mark Arun Jaitley’s 68th birth anniversary.

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, DDCA president and Arun Jaitley’s son Rohan, and cricketer-turned-Member of Parliament Gautam Gambhir were among those who attended the function.

The move to install the statue faced sharp criticism by former Test captain Bishan Singh Bedi, who demanded the removal of his name from one of the stands.

Reaching to Bedi’s remarks, Rohan Jaitley said, “Bedi ji is the “Bhishm Pitamah” of Delhi cricket. If he has reservations, there are better ways of discussing them.

“I’m a youngster and expect to be guided by the elders in the fraternity. His name on the stands is his legacy, an honour bestowed upon him. The DDCA will request Bedi ji to withdraw his demand.”