It seems Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor's penchant for taking cricket to Kerala might cost him his job. The Congress party is believed to be unconvinced by Tharoor's explanation of his involvement in the entire IPL-Kochi controversy.

It's now almost certain that the Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor will not survive the controversy. Sources have told NDTV that Tharoor's exit is only a matter of time after allegations that he had misused his authority to help his friend Sunanda Pushkar get 'free' equity worth 70 crores in the Kochi franchise. (Read: Sunanda Pushkar's deal: What exactly is it?)

Sources now talk of a compromise formula which says if Sunanda surrenders stake in IPL Kochi, Tharoor may get a reprieve. Potential compromise formula: Sunanda surrenders 70-crore stake which is seen as an exceptionally sweet deal. She gets it without any investment, is free to sell it at any point.

There are also news reports that Tharoor lobbied for Sunanda's stake to be raised even higher and party so far does not accept his explanation completely.

Congress sources say it would have looked better if Tharoor had at least offered to resign.

Tharoor said on record to NDTV he would not resign; party sources say this was out of line. In any case, if he has to go, party would rather like him to resign so it doesn't seem like it has given it to BJP's demand of sacking him.

Now questions are being raised whether Tharoor will take the hint and step down.

In an exclusive interview to NDTV's Barkha Dutt on April 14, Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor said that "resigning would mean I've given up."

Tharoor said he will convey the details of his relationship with the Kochi Indian Premier League (IPL) to Sonia Gandhi and the Prime Minister. "I have done nothing wrong, I stand with my head held high," he had said. (Read & Watch: Exclusive - Full transcript of Tharoor's interview to NDTV)

Congress is upset that ally Sharad Pawar is batting for IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi - another pressure-point in troubled relationship with NCP.

According to sources the Congress does not want the government or the Prime Minister to be tainted with this scam and that prima facie they believe that Tharoor's explanations are not convincing.

The Congress also believes that the PM should not have to speak on Tharoor's behalf. The Congress president and the Prime Minister will meet tonight on Tharoor issue.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has returned from his two-nation tour. Shashi Tharoor is likely to meet the Congress president and Prime Minister today evening.