Tharoor’s ‘partner’ got stake in Kochi team, Lalit Modi says Minister told me don’t ask

Union Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor is in a fresh controversy around the Kochi IPL team he “helped” set up that has pitted him and its owners against IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi.

Modi has not only publicly disclosed the names of some of the owners of the consortium that bought the franchisee for $333 million but has also alleged that he was told by Tharoor not to ask who these shareholders were.

This startling claim assumes significance since at the heart of the controversy is the reported 19% stake owned by Sunanda Pushkar in the 25% free equity owned by Rendezvous Sports World Pvt Ltd, the company that led the consortium that finally won the team. The value of Pushkar’s stake is $15.82 million (about Rs 70 crore).

Pushkar is known to be close to Tharoor who, in fact, has been seen introducing her in social circles as his “fiancée.” Currently married — and in the process of separation — Tharoor had earlier said he only offered encouragement, blessings and expert advice to the Kochi bidders.
At the time of the announcement of the Kochi team, Tharoor had said: “Beyond that, I had no role to play. I understand it’s a business decision.”

When asked about the controversy this evening, Tharoor, who was at the India Habitat Centre to inaugurate an art show, refused to comment.

The controversy heated up yesterday as emails went back and forth.

Modi, in an email sent to Shashank Manohar, president, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the members of the governing council of the board, alleged that the Kochi franchisee has “a lot to hide and as such have lied about who is the actual owner of the shares (in the consortium that bought the team).”