The Lalit Modi-BCCI feud has ended up costing Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar, whose payments for the work he did as an IPL Governing Council member are yet to be released.
Gavaskar was part of IPL`s governing council between 2008-2010 and had been promised Rs 4 crore per year, over and above the Rs 1 crore for coming on board, by the then BCCI chief Sharad Pawar -- a commitment which the present administration has not fulfilled till now.
The public stance of the BCCI has been that the amount in question was a whimsical decision by the then IPL commissioner Lalit Modi.
The fresh ammunition to the controversy was provided by Modi himself in an interview where he stated that the present BCCI President Shashank Manohar has not honoured the commitment to Gavaskar.
"The money was promised to Gavaskar, it was agreed upon, it was on drafting stage of agreement (before the then set-up of IPL was changed). It`s been sitting on BCCI chief`s desk for years," Modi said in a rare television interview earlier this week.
Gavaskar, who is here on a commentary assignment, said, "Lalit (Modi) is only reiterating the facts of the matter. Since the first IPL was round the corner, I was informed that the paperwork and the formalities would be completed soon.”
"Mr Pawar had promised to have a meeting with his successor in BCCI and me but it`s been a hectic few seasons and so it hasn`t taken place."
"However, since it is a commitment, made by the then BCCI president, I am sure, the matter will be sorted out to everyone`s satisfaction. I have full faith in Mr Pawar and BCCI in doing the right thing," he added.
