BCCI warns Modi it can be harsh

The BCCI on Wednesday said it would take "harsh decisions" to protect its image--a response to IPL commissioner Lalit Modi's refusal to give up his post.

BCCI's media and finance committee chairman Rajiv Shukla said the IPL governing council's meeting on April 26 would take decisions in the interest of cricket.

"The question of people refusing to back down or not, they don't matter. After the meeting between BCCI President Shashank Manohar and Sharad Pawar yesterday, it has been decided that in the April 26 Governing Council meeting, we will sit together and unanimously decide what to do," Shukla told reporters in Delhi.

"These decisions would in the interest of cricket and the BCCI. No matter how harsh they might seem, decisions would be taken to protect the BCCI and cricket's image in the country. We have never compromised on our image in the past 60 years and there would be no compromise this time too," he said.

Modi, who is facing allegations of financial irregularities and favouring family and friends in franchise bids, has so far refused to step down from his post despite mounting pressure.

The controversy began after Modi's tweets on the shareholding pattern of the new Kochi franchise disclosed that former junior foreign minister Shashi Tharoor's close

friend Sunanda Pushkar had a 'sweat equity' worth Rs 70 crore in the team.

Tharoor had to resign as a result but Modi is also in trouble after damaging revelations of his alleged 'silent' stakes in at least three IPL teams. Besides, Modi is also

facing accusations of money laundering and betting in the IPL.

The BCCI has been in damage control mode ever since and there are indications that the Board's top brass wants Modi out after the IPL ends on April 25.