Sunanda Pushkar concedes free hit

NEW DELHI: In a bid to save her friend Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor from being sacked, Sunanda Pushkar on Sunday gave up her stake in Kochi IPL franchise.

Sunanda’s lawyer Ashish Mehta read out her statement on television in which she talked about voluntarily returning sweat equity offered to her by Rendezvous Sport, the winner of the Kochi bid, and how she no longer felt enthusiastic about any IPL activity even in the future.

Ashish claimed that Sunanda had decided to quit on Saturday.

Before the government and the party decided on backing or dumping him, it was felt that taking Sunanda out of the picture would help in formulating the strategy to counter the Opposition’s tirade.

It didn’t help the matter a bit as the BJP and the Left parties made it clear they wouldn’t settle for anything less than the minister’s scalp.

“This is a case of stinking of corruption,” said a BJP leader.

Sunanda, who had denied being proxy to the minister, claimed that she was hounded because of being a woman and was shocked by the way her credentials were challenged by vested interests.

“I do not intend to seek compensation for the efforts I have made so far for them. As mother of a half- Malyalee son, I wish Kerala cricket well and hope this team succeeds handsomely in IPL-4 and in the years to come,” she said to highlight her connection with Kerala.

A Dubai-based professional, she was given sweat equity of 18 per cent by Rendezevous Sport valued at Rs 70 crore. This was challenged by IPL commissioner Lalit Modi.