Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi has alleged that Congress MP Shashi Tharoor once called him during the Kochi IPL franchise dispute, warning him not to raise questions about Sunanda Pushkar. Modi claimed he refused pressure over alleged irregular equity structure in the consortium and the controversy later escalated, leading to the franchise’s termination in 2011. (≈399 characters)
London: Former Indian Premier League (IPL) Chairman Lalit Modi claimed he received a phone call from Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, urging him not to raise questions about his late wife Sunanda Pushkar, after Lalit attempted to block the entry of the Kochi consortium over an alleged fraudulent equity structure involving Pushkar.
In an interview with ANI, Lalit alleged that Tharoor warned him of possible government action if he proceeded. The former IPL Chairman further said he rejected the warning, ended the call, and refused to sign the document or agreement in question.
"I get a call from Shashi Tharoor on the phone. He says, 'Lalit, don't ask about Sunanda Pushkar. She is a good friend of mine. I asked why, and he said, If you do, I'll have you raided in the morning. I said, 'Screw you. Who the hell do you think you are? You may be the Foreign Minister of India, but don't you dare ever tell me this.' I slammed the phone and said I would not sign," Lalit said.
Lalit claimed the standoff peaked during a late-night meeting in Bengaluru, where he refused to sign the official franchise agreement until the identities of the shadow shareholders were made public.
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