Centre asked to probe Tharoor's role in Kochi IPL franchise

CPI Kerala secretary Veliyam Bhargavan today demanded a Central probe into the allegations against minister of state for external affairs Shashi Tharoor over the IPL Kochi franchise issue.

In a statement here, he said Tharoor had been actively involved in getting the franchisee of IPL for Kerala and "ensured" that his friend Sunanda Pushkar got substantial stakes in the Kochi firm, which won the bid for Rs 1,530 crores.

He said it had been reported that Pushkar got 17% free stake in the franchise and Tharoor had allegedly misused his office for monitory gains from IPL.

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committtee should come out with
its opinion on the Tharoor's `misdeals' in connection with the
IPL, he said.