New Delhi:
After Shashi Tharoor told NDTV that Lalit Modi's version of the minister's involvement in the Kochi IPL team is incorrect, Modi spoke to NDTV's Anjali Doshi. He says he stands by his allegations - that the ownership of the team seems murky, and that Tharoor tried to stop him from investigating the free equity given by the team-owners to Sunanda Pushkar, who is a close associate of Tharoor's.
NDTV: Shashi Tharoor says you tried your best to get the Kochi team out?
Lalit Modi: That's absolute rubbish.
NDTV: Tharoor maintains that he did call but did not tell you to refrain from probing Sunanda Pushkar's background.
Lalit Modi: He specifically mentioned her. Everyone sitting around me heard it.
NDTV: Tharoor says he would love to see a recording of this conversation where you claim he mentioned Sunanda.
Lalit Modi: My conversation with him is minuted. Do not have a phone recording. He did mention her. That's when alarm bells went off.
NDTV: He maintains he never mentioned Sunanda. Can you prove him wrong?
Lalit Modi: Yes. I can.
NDTV: Tharoor says he considered you a friend but that he wouldn't use the word anymore.
Lalit Modi: I am doing my job as the IPL Commissioner. I do not care if he does not consider me a friend.
NDTV: He continues to maintain that he is just a mentor but do you believe he has a financial stake in the team?
Lalit Modi: That time will tell. I believe his links prove otherwise.
NDTV: The Kochi team says they were offered 50 million dollars by you to walk away from the bidding process?
Lalit Modi: Not true at all.
NDTV: They also say you told them to bid under 300 million for the franchise?
Lalit Modi: Why would I do that?
NDTV: Finally what happens at the governing council meeting, can their agreement be cancelled?
Lalit Modi: That's for the governing council to decide.