Chidambaram lashes out at Modi and Co

Even as the second season of the Indian Premier League is all set to get underway in South Africa, Home Minister P Chidambaram has hurled another bouncer at Lalit Modi and company.


In an exclusive interview with CNN-IBN, Chidambaram claimed the tournament could have been held in India but the IPL wasn't willing to consider the Government's suggestions.


P Chidambaram: We could have done it (the IPL) but only if they had reflected on the concerns of the DGPs (Director General of Police) and not try to pressurise the Chief Ministers. I am not letting out any secret by that. If they had only listened to the concerns of the DGPs, this tournament could have been played in two parts.


First the league part and then give a break for the critical three or four week period and then the knockout part.


But they were trying to be too clever by putting the pressure on the Chief Ministers and ultimately the DGPs told the Chief Ministers that 'sorry, we cannot provide security.'


CNN-IBN: So it wasn't about Lalit Modi vs P Chidambaram or Congress vs BJP or Mr. Chidambaram's ego being hurt?


P Chidambaram: Where is the ego? I am too small a person compared to Mr. Modi. The point is they did not try to understand the compulsions and concerns of the Police force. Ultimately the political buck will stop at the Chief Minister but the burden will have to be taken by the DGP. They should have understood the concerns of the DGPs.


Even the DGP of the Gujarat refused. The DGP of Maharshtra, who was in-charge of the elections, also refused.


CNN-IBN: Any regrets that you have to watch the IPL on television?


P Chidambaram: I will watch it on television and will be amongst the 98 per cent of the viewers who watch the IPL on the television. Only two per cent of the viewers watch the IPL matches live (on the ground).