This Article is From Apr 24, 2010

Pawar says nothing murky about IPL

New Delhi: Union Minister Sharad Pawar who is a major practitioner of power in Indian cricket has said he's willing to stand any inquiry into his alleged role in the Indian Premier League (IPL) controversy.

Pawar also defended his lieutenant in his Nationalist Congress Party, Praful Patel, stating that there's no need for Patel to resign.

The Opposition has targeted both Pawar and Patel in Parliament for alleged illicit relations to the IPL.

Both men have been accused of trying to influence the auction of new IPL teams last month in favour of investors they allegedly supported.

Pawar has denied that his family has benefited financially in any way from his association with cricket (he is the former BCCI chief, and is currently President of the Maharashtra Cricket Association).

Patel has also been accused of a conflict of interest because his daughter, Poorna, works for the IPL. However, Patel told NDTV there he is not associated with cricket or the IPL.

Pawar said there is nothing murky in the IPL. The cricket league is currently undergoing a complete x-ray through different government agencies for money-laundering, tax evasion, proxy ownership and other financial crimes.
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