Modi wants to cancel critical IPL meeting, questions its legality

New Delhi: The perfect storm of Indian cricket has just received a crashing new wave: Lalit Modi  is trying to cancel Monday's critical meeting, one at which he's to be asked to quit as chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL), which he created, some say, single-handedly.  

Modi is also credited with being solely responsible for the gigantic investigation now ordered by the government into the IPL. His tweets, alleging that the new Kochi franchise, had hidden owners, and enjoyed a close link to Shashi Tharoor forced Tharoor to resign as minister and led to the government stepping in with a multi-agency inquiry. (Read: Telecaster denies any wrong doing)

Operation Cricket Clean-Up hopes to uncover the source of the millions of dollars that have been used to buy teams and players. Violations of foreign exchange laws, proxy owners serving as fronts for senior politicians, and indeed Modi's own wealth are all being checked out by different departments on a daily basis.  

Modi, unsurprisingly then, has very few friends left. On Tuesday, his mentor, Sharad Pawar, crossed over to the side of detractors, allegedly after a meeting with senior Congress leaders, who warned him that it was time to distance himself from Modi. (Read: Pawar wants Modi to quit, say sources)

The governing council of the IPL is scheduled to meet on April 26. The league's parent, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has reportedly decided that Modi will have to quit at this session. That doesn't fit in with Modi's current world view. He has told reporters there is "no chance" of his resigning, and that he will counter the allegations against him with a detailed presentation.

Modi says he wants more time to put that defense together. As the Chiarman of the IPL, he asserts he alone can summon the governing council. Not true, says the BCCI, which also warns that Modi doesn't have to be physically present in order to be voted out of his current position. (Read: Lalit Modi questioned by I-T officials)

Modi has said on record that he will reveal how the decisions that he took, now under attack by the IPL, were in fact taken with the assent of the governing council.  A case in point: Modi will show an email exchange that proves that he wanted to reveal the entire list of stakeholders for all IPL team-owners, but was outvoted. Those who rejected the suggestion included BCCI Chief Shashank Manohar and BJP leader Arun Jaitley who is a BCCI member. They cited a confidentiality clause in franchise agreements. (Read: Modi prepares defense, says won't resign)

It is disclosures like this that could blow the lid off a combustible mix of power, money and politics. So far, detractors say, the IPL has operated like a secretive cult, with Modi as its high-priest, who both protected its secrets and helped recruit new wealthy members. (Read: Tax inquiry for Kochi IPL team starts in Pune with Gaikwads)

Modi's suggestion on revealing all stakeholders rejected by others

On April 14, just days after he tweeted his way into cricket's biggest controversy yet, Modi suggested, in an email to the BCCI and to IPL team-owners, that all stakeholders be revealed. Modi was outvoted. Those who were not in favour of his proposal were BCCI chief, Shashank Manhoar, and the BJP's Arun Jaitley, who is also on the BCCI's Working Committee.

Here is Modi's email:

Sent: 14 Apr 2010 22:40

Dear Friends

Propriety and fair play demand we should as public body disclose ownership details along with name of directors of all franchisees once again. Earlier we at the time of bidding only disclosed the names and share holding.

If everyone is okay with this we will issue the same right away, that way all doubts and aspirations being cast on IPL franchises and members of GC appropriately rebutted. I hope you all agree with the same.

Warm Regards

Lalit Modi
Chairman and Commissioner IPL

Shashank Manohar's reply to Modi's email:

Subject: For your eyes only
Sent: Apr 15, 2010 9:17 AM

Dear Lalit,

The issue is complex and needs detailed deliberations and legal implications need to be gone into and hence can be considered at the GC meeting where all documents and papers relating to the bids are available.

Warm Regards,
Shashank