Mumbai: Former IPL chief Lalit Modi has expressed his anger at his suspension and accused the BCCI of being “scared of the truth”.
"How can I attend the (IPL) Governing Council meeting if I am suspended?" Modi told CNN-IBN after the cricket board suspended him as IPL commissioner and chairman on Sunday night. "Are they scared of the truth?"
"No comments now," he said when asked if he would approach the courts. Modi expressed his hurt in his speech at the IPL final match award presentation in Mumbai. He reiterated that the League was clean and "if there is any flouting of rules, I will take full responsibility".
Ravi Shastri, former India captain-turned commentator and member of the IPL governing council who is reportedly also being considered as Modi's replacement, continued to refer to Modi as the IPL commissioner during the post-match presentation at the D Y Patil Stadium.
"We've had some off-field unpleasant dramas only based on half truths and motivated leaks from all type of sources. I assure you all decision have been jointly taken by the governing council and approved by the general body in both year and two of the IPL. Still as the leader of the team, I reassure you that if there is any flouting of rules and regulations, I shall take the full responsibility," said Modi.
He went on to add that the IPL is "clean and transparent" and had achieved worldwide recognition. "We should not allow IPL's image to be diminished. I am speaking as IPL Commissioner and the captain of the team. IPL has been unfortunately surrounded with off-field dramas. The recent happenings are only based on innuendos, half truths and motivated leaks from all sides. I assure you all decisions are jointly taken by the GC (governing council) and were approved by the general body in the first and the second year of IPL," he said.
"I reassure you that if there is any flouting of rules and any irregularities, I take on the full responsibility," he added. "I would like to assure you fans across the globe that the IPL is clean and transparent and I thank millions of fans for making it one of the best sporting leagues ever."
"We should not allow this brand to be diluted and with the support of the millions and millions of viewers across the globe. We have seen some talents emerging and should not allow its image to be diminished. IPL has faced many challenges this year, but we have faced this challenges head on."
"I just wanted to leave a small footprint in the glorious history of the games. I would like to call it a Indian People's League." Quoting an excerpt from the Bhagvad Gita he said, "Fear not what is not real, never was and never will be. What is real, always was and cannot be destroyed."
Manjrekar on Modi suspension:
"I am wondering if there is more to the timing of the decision which is announced just before the Governing Council meeting," said former cricketer and TV commentator Sanjay Manjrekar. "I am not surprised to see Lalit Modi suspended. We need to move away from this. We witnessed a great game of cricket and what agitates me is when administrators make more news than players."
Administrators get a chance to manage cricket for while. IPL is good not because of Lalit Modi but because of the kind of display the people put up. People come to watch the players. Lalit Modi was good for the IPL in the first season, but it is foolish to think IPL can't go on without Modi. IPL is a modern concept - cricket+T20 is popular," said Manjrekar "adding success is assured with or without Lalit Modi.
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