IPL row: Pawar talks with Mallya, BCCI bigwigs

Mumbai, Apr 24 (ANI): Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Saturday met with Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) president Shashank Manohar, Secretary N Srinivasan and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) franchise owner Vijay Mallya.

Pawar reportedly took stock of the situation in the wake of the raging IPL cash row controversy.

Top BCCI officials reportedly apprised him of steps they are contemplating to restore the board's image.

Briefing media after the meeting, Mallya said IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi should be given a fair chance to explain himself.

Dubbing the allegations of match fixing as an 'insult', Mallya said, "It is insulting to suggest betting in the IPL. I don't know who is talking about all this match-fixing."

Mallya rather found fault with the politicians who, he alleged, were raising an "unnecessary storm."

"I think there has been lot of drama, hype and sensationalism. I would say this is uncalled for. Even our senior politicians don't seem to understand the concept of IPL and what it is all about and they jump to conclusions," he said.

Mallya has been backing Modi since the emergence of IPL Gate last week.

"I wish there will be a proper, calm and comprehensive inquiry and people who would read the report of the inquiry will realise that this is a storm that is quite unnecessary," Mallya said.

The BCCI is under pressure following allegations of match fixing.

On Friday, top BCCI representatives were summoned by income tax officials and asked to furnish details of share holding, player auctions and the bidding process. (ANI)