IPL: Iceland , diplomatic immunity , Kochi , signature campaigns and a Warneing

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Kochi meets the deadline?

There have been conflicting reports in the Indian press and media about the proposal submitted by the Kochi consortium to the BCCI.

The Times Of India (TOI) reports that the Kochi franchisee have requested an additional ten days to come up with a resolution of the ongoing dispute among the consortium members.

The DNA (Daily News And Analysis) say that the consortium members have submitted a proposal that envisages a reduced role for Rendezvous Sports in the revised joint venture. There will be no new partner in the venture; this would contravene the rules that stipulate that the shareholding pattern cannot be changed for the first three years of the team’s existence.

It is believed that the BCCI will take a final decision in the next two days after scrutinising the Kochi letter forwarded to the BCCI president Shashank Manohar.

It is to be recalled that the Kochi consortium submitted a bid worth $333.33 million over the next ten years. This works out to an annual income of $33.33 million to the BCCI , much more than what they would receive from the Punjab XI and Rajasthan Royals combined.

The BCCI are not seen to be keen to relinquish the golden goose.

It is also learnt that if the Kochi franchise falls through, there is a possibility of new bids for the eighth team; the chances of just seven teams in the fourth edition of IPL are termed as being ‘zero’.

Modi denies Icelandic voyage

Lalit Modi cannot be muzzled for long. He has tweeted that he is not hiding in Iceland. His current location on Twitter is set to ‘Everywhere’.

The Headlines Today news channel unearthed Modi’s application in 2007 to be Iceland’s honorary consul general in Mumbai.

However, the Intelligence Bureau vetoed the application despite Modi being cleared by all other screening agencies.

Modi’s lawyer, Mehmood Abidi has denied the reports as an attempt at spreading disinformation.

In another development, the BCCI has told the Supreme Court that they cannot reconstitute the panel enquiring into financial lapses by the ex-IPL commissioner.

Shashank Manohar, the current BCCI president , had recused himself from the panel following a plea by the plaintiff Modi.

Modi’s advocates are seeking the removal of IPL chairman Chirayu Amin from the committee.

In a later development on Thursday, the 21st of October,2010, the SC has granted the two parties until October 27 to put together some sort of compromise formula with regards to the disciplinary committee. Will this break the impasse?

It has also come to light that Modi has forwarded to the Enforcement Directorate detailed correspondence between him and the Mumbai police detailing threats made to his life by the underworld.This is the first corroboration of Modi’s claims of threats to his life.

Signature campaigns and Shane Warne

Kings XI Punjab fans have started a signature campaign to reinstate the team.

Kings XI remain highly popular and its dejected fans believe that the perceived closeness to Modi hurt their team when it came to the BCCI taking a decision about its fate.

Shane Warne, in his blog, has come out strongly against the expulsion of the two teams:

“With the IPL exceeding all expectations, on all fronts, I find it staggering that the IPL has decided to throw 2 teams out… Why??

Is it because the franchises have done something wrong or is there something sinister behind it? Is there an ulterior motive?

To me the IPL must be transparent, open, honest, and, above all, fair to all teams! They need to treat them equally; no teachers pets!!!!!!”

Note: This is an updated version of the earlier post.

Quote of the day:Either this man is dead or my watch has stopped. – Groucho Marx

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