Shashi Tharoor meets Pranab Mukherjee, AK Antony

Union minister Shashi Tharoor tonight met Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and defence minister AK Antony as the controversy surrounding him in the IPL snowballed with opposition demanding his sacking.

Tharoor, who earlier in the evening ruled out his resignation on the IPL issue saying that he has not done anything wrong or misused office, met the two ministers at Mukherjee's residence for nearly an hour after which he left without speaking to waiting newsmen.

There was no official word on the meeting but Tharoor is believed to have explained his version on his role in mentoring the IPL Kochi bid that has triggered a massive controversy over alleged misuse of his office.

The meeting came after the Congress Core Group headed by party chief Sonia Gandhi met to discuss the strategy in Parliament on the eve of the resumption of the budget session.

Prime minister indicated he would take action in the issue if warranted after his return from abroad if there was evidence.

Both the BJP and Left parties have demanded his sacking. The BJP-led NDA met this evening and demanded that action be taken against him under Prevention of Corruption Act.

After a public function, Mukherjee declined to answer reporters question on the fate of Tharoor.