IPL: Narendra Modi dragged into Kochi row

Last Updated: Thursday, April 15, 2010, 17:45

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Tags: Shashi Tharoor, Lalit Modi, IPL Kochi Row

IPL: Narendra Modi dragged into Kochi row

Zeecric Bureau

Ahmedabad: Even as the Kochi IPL controversy stalled the proceedings of Parliament, Income Tax (I-T) department on Thursday conducted massive raids on the offices of three prominent businessmen from the Rendezvous group, who have invested in IPL Kochi franchisee.

Top I-T sleuths raided the Ahmedabad offices of Vipul Shah, owner of Parni Developers and the Bhavnagar offices of two other investors.

The raids were conducted after a clash between MoS Shashi Tharoor and IPL commissioner Lalit Modi snowballed into a major political controversy, with the sources of funds coming into question.

The raids have fueled speculations of a political conspiracy in attempts to scrap the IPL Kochi franchisee. Kochi franchisee spokesperson Satyajit Gaikwad alleged the Gujarat Chief Minister Nareddra Modi and IPL Chairman Lalit Modi are plotting against the Kochi IPL team.

Talking to the reporters Gaikwad said, “Narendra Modi and Lalit Modi want to shift the Kochi team to Ahmedabad. There is a larger political conspiracy behind all that are happening.”

He also demanded that Lalit Modi should reveal all the names of the shareholders and stakeholders involved in every IPL franchisee. “Modi should disclose the names of stakeholders in all the IPL franchisees,” said a visibly angry Gaikwad.

Meanwhile, former president of Gujarat Cricket Association Narhari Amin alleged that chief minister Narendra Modi is responsible behind the whole IPL Kochi controversy. He also held the chief minister responsible for not having a Gujarat team in IPL.

At the other end, however, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee categorically denied having any interest in probing the accounts of IPL franchisees. Talking to the reporters outside the Parliament, Mukherjee said, “It’s not the headache of Finance Ministry.”

He was speaking after Tharoor met him and AK Antony before the Parliament's Budget session re-started.

In the evening, Tharoor got an audience with Congress president Sonia Gandhi and explained to her his point of view. The meeting kasted for 20 minutes, sources revealed.

The Enforcement Department in the meanwhile, is looking into the funding of IPL team Rajasthan Royals and other teams might be under the scanner soon.

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First Published: Thursday, April 15, 2010, 17:45

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Dinesh - USA
IPL seems more murkier from inside than what it looks from outside. The way Shailendra Gaekwad came out with Allegation of $ 50 Million Bribe from Lalit Modi & Threatened by Ministers shows that this `` Glamorous & Thrilling Business `` is infected and coming under the `` SPIDER NET `` of Underworld like Bollywood. If IT finds out Hawala Money used, then IB & RAW should also get involved to check the involvement of Anti-Nationals like DAWOOD. Indian Govt must check if any Scam or Conspiracy played by or against Investors, Franchise Owners or IPL Authority.

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PP TALWAR - India
Regarding the IPL dilemma involving so many known and unknown fianancers, it is time a thorough probe is done by the IT department into he working of IPL and BCCI who are money mking machines. BCCI chief Shrad Pawar is glued to the IPL like a bee on the beehive, even ignoring the price rise, starvaton deaths and other agricultural debacles facing the country.

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KP - Delhi
Why only IT raid in Kochi IPL owners` offices, raid all other IPL stake holders offices and find out their source as well a declared income. Modi is a crook by face itself. He should immediately reveal all the name of stake holders in all IPL teams and their percentage of share. He already knew the details of all stake holders as he himself claimed its his duty to know the things. He must be made accountable for any irregularity or black money found in the IPL Business. Pawar and many other ministers will also have stake in many teams, because they are learned money minded people. He never bothers about what happens in his ministry or the issue about the rising price essential commodities. Let common man go to hell, any way, I will enjoy my life with money and sports that`s his slogan. He must be made quit either the post of Minister or the sports governing activities. Let him do something good in any of these.