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Former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Lalit Modi has reignited controversy by leveling serious allegations against Congress leader Shashi Tharoor. In a recent interview on the YouTube show ‘Figuring Out,’ Modi claimed that Tharoor’s late wife, Sunanda Pushkar, was granted a 25% stake in the now-defunct IPL franchise, Kochi Tuskers Kerala (KTK), without any financial investment. He further alleged that upon questioning this arrangement, Tharoor threatened him with enforcement actions.
Allegations of Undue Ownership
Modi recounted his discovery during the KTK franchise agreement review, stating:
“I look at the 12 shareholders. It was supposed to be JP group. All of a sudden, it’s something totally different. And then I’m tick marking everybody and there’s one name I see out there, a lady by the name of Sunanda Pushkar.”
He elaborated that Pushkar held a 25% stake in the consortium without any monetary contribution and was entitled to 15% of the revenue. Modi expressed his refusal to sign the agreement under these conditions.
Alleged Threats from Shashi Tharoor
According to Modi, upon his refusal, he received a call from Tharoor, who allegedly warned:
“Don’t you dare ask about Sunanda Pushkar; if you do, I will have you raided by ED tomorrow. You’ll be taken by Income Tax, and we will jail you.”
Modi described this as a direct threat aimed at coercing him into compliance.
Background of the Controversy
The Kochi Tuskers Kerala franchise was introduced in the IPL in 2011 but was terminated after just one season due to financial disputes. At the time, allegations surfaced regarding Tharoor’s involvement in securing the franchise and Pushkar’s stake, leading to significant political and media scrutiny. Tharoor, then a Union Minister, faced accusations of misusing his position, which he denied, asserting that his role was limited to mentoring the consortium.
Reactions and Implications
As of now, there has been no official response from Shashi Tharoor regarding Modi’s recent allegations. These claims have resurfaced past controversies, potentially impacting Tharoor’s political standing and raising questions about the transparency of IPL franchise dealings during its early years.
Conclusion
Lalit Modi’s allegations against Shashi Tharoor have brought back into focus the complex interplay between politics and sports administration in India. The cricketing community and the public await further developments and official statements to address these serious concerns.
