CPI-M seeks parliamentary panel probe into IPL row

KOCHI - Communist Party of India-Marxist general secretary Prakash Karat Wednesday said that a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) should be constituted to inquire into the India Premier League (IPL) controversy.

“The government has to come forward with a reliable agency and a JPC is welcome,” said Karat while interacting with the media here.

He said that Kerala has come to realise that cricket based on IPL model is not the need of the hour.

Stating that the IPL “is not a sport”, Karat said it is a platform where “unaccounted money is flowing in”.

He added the current controversy does not end with former minister of state for external affairs Shashi Tharoor’s resignation or if IPL commissioner Lalit Modi exits. Full details of all franchisees and their stakeholders should be made public.

Earlier in the day, Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan’s reaction was sought in the capital city over the state losing a central minister in Tharoor - who represents the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat.

Achuthanandan said: “There have been some issues with the conduct of the IPL.”

“I am still studying the issues and will comment after that,” he added.

Tharoor resigned Sunday from his ministerial post amid an uproar over his alleged link to the IPL’s Kochi bid.