[Marxistindia] PB On Shashi Tharoor's involvement in IPL

[news from the cpi(m)]

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

 

The involvement of Mr. Shashi Tharoor, Minister of State for External Affairs,  in the Indian Premier League franchise for the Kochi team has raised a number of questions. It now transpires that a person associated with him has got 19 per cent free equity worth Rs. 70 crores in the company that led the consortium which got the franchise.  

 

The IPL is not just a sporting event, but is a big business enterprise in which big money is involved. It is highly inappropriate for a minister  in the Union government to be involved in such  murky dealings.  

 

It is incumbent upon Mr. Tharoor to step down from office till his name  is cleared  of any unethical or  irregular behaviour.  

 

The UPA government should also explain whether its ministers can be involved in business dealings in the name of  IPL.  The government should probe the source of certain funds flowing  into the tournament and reconsider whether any tax exemptions or concessions are justified for this commercial enterprise.  



eom