'Question mark hangs over Kochi owners'

Indian Premier League (IPL) Commissioner Lalit Modi today maintained that a question mark hangs over the owners of IPL Kochi franchisee that has drawn Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor into a major controversy.

"As regards all earlier franchisees we know who the owners are. They come, they attend conferences and meetings but as far as Kochi IPL is concerned we had a question mark.

"Even those who presented the bid documents do not know who they (owners) are," he told a press conference.

Replying to a question he said in the case of eight teams already in the IPL, Modi said everybody knew who the shareholders were but in the case of Kochi even the shareholders did not know.

Calling it a "small issue, nevertheless an issue" Modi said, "We will deal with it."

He said he would call a meeting of the Governing Council meeting after the end of the ongoing Indian Premier League (April 25) saying they have a lot of work.

To a question about his interest in Rajasthan Royals team, he said, "I have no hidden agenda or hidden stake."

Asked if the latest controversy has affected him, he said, "No, nothing."