It all started with ICL; trying to capitalize on failure of BCCI cricket team. ICL replicated the model of EPL. But hardly anyone took notice of ICL. Not even when they created a Pakistani team and probably planted trolls to waive THAT flag with pride in India. But then, entered Lalit Modi. Entered BCCI. Within a blink, IPL had arrived in a big way.
The stalwarts of India queued up to have a bite in the franchises. The players were for the first time treated as professionals. Markets for the first time, decided, what the value of a player is. All of a sudden, the mythical 'Vibrant India' took real shape.
The controversies followed IPL right from the beginning. The communist guns started blazing at the "sale of players" and the "fat pay checks" they were offered. Media had a problem with IPL because a private company set its own norms for coverage. Moral Police had a problem because people liked the idea of cheer-gals. Purists had a problem because they saw the death of ODIs and/or Tests because a dumb common-man like me would embrace IPL. Still IPL steam-rolled. For the first time, Indians had a league which was comparable to EPL, NFL, MLB etc in its aura. India had arrived on the sports map, finally.
IPL drove ahead because it was backed by market; backed by people. Heck, it was a success even when it was forced out of India, in its second edition itself. The amount of revenue it generated had some corrupt politicians vying for more control of it. But unfortunately, the rich and influential were party to it. IPL could stand up against anyone. It did. Lalit Modi did. Almost.
It is no secret that many people loathed the idea of a team from Cochin. It didn't make much cricketing sense. Neither did it to Lalit Modi. But truth is they won the franchise fair and square, PROBABLY. Then there was this "Rendezvous" with Taroor. Modi Tweeted; Taroor retaliated; Sunanda sweat'ed. The opening to control IPL presented by itself. And have they not taken it with both hands ?
TAROOR FORCED TO RESIGN
Most people who know me would vouch how much I despise politicians. But, Shashi Taroor is one of the very few politicians I respect. Congress wanted a young, suave face to appeal to urban and urbane India. Mr. Taroor was their choice. His rise rubbed many people the wrong way. Then, there were many media created issues out of thin air regarding cattle class, five-star hotel stay, stance against passport amongst others. He was fast becoming a liability. The moment media started attacking Taroor regarding Sunanda Pushkar getting sweat equity, Congress snapped. Taroor is history, for now.
What was wrong with Sunanda Pushkar getting sweat equity ? For all I care, she might have been presented 99% of the ownership. Unless, it isn't proved that she got the money because of a shady deal, how can media try her ? How can Taroor, a junior external affairs minister have a "conflict of interest" with a private company which is franchise for a private league ? What did media try Sunanda and Taroor for ? Like Sunanda Pushkar apparently report according to a report, she was projected like a slut overnight. Taroor's gone; uneducated to rule us again. But Innocent, until proven otherwise, anyone ?
MODI MANIA
Does media have any hatred with the "modi" name ? First, it was the Modi from Gujrat. Now, Modi from Rajasthan. Modi had a drug related case against him 25 years back. What has that got to do with his involvement in IPL ? Modi's X relatives' Z son's Y daughter has a stake in some franchise, APPARENTLY. Why not prove that Modi did insider trading or until then shut the F up ? There were many such ridiculous media coverage. The award from my side goes to this bit of "news" : Modi knows some "bookie" and hence he is involved in match fixing. This is probably one of the worst articles I read and my computer was lucky not to get banged. When did betting and match-fixing become synonymous ?
THE GREAT INTERVENTION
The Modi-Taroor fiasco let way to the great political intervention. Yes, there were politicians involved before. But that was a "necessary evil" for IPL. But this fiasco has created an opportunity for complete take-over. IPL is being politicized. What is better than a medium which reaches almost every Indian to send across your message ? What is better to corruption than a company which is making millions of dollars and is growing 200% every year ? There are IT sleuths who are raiding the crap out of IPL and its franchise owners. Everything ugly is being associated. IPL is being methodically dismantled as a private company. Its image is being thrashed. Eventually, this all points to government taking it over. Sob.
Everyone related to politics is coming out and giving a statement. Its a issue in Parliament. They want a Joint Parliamentary Commission to probe it. Apparently, IPL was under the scanner for some time now. Then, what exactly was IT department waiting for - A tweet-buffet? [Anyway, concept of forced taxation doesn't makes much sense to me]. Some-one went to extent of telling that IPL should be dismantled. Why exactly ? What is the crime they have committed ? Fodder Scam, sir ?
ALGUIEN SALVA IPL
Andrew Flintoff noted before IPL-3 that some players would be earning more through IPL than John Terry, skipper of Chelsea would, through EPL. IPL is one of the top sporting companies of 2009. IPL is a phenomenon.
And like always, corrupt people have smelt money bleeding from IPL too. They are now out in the wild, waiting to hound and siphon IPL. Hopefully, it wont happen. Hopefully it will remain a private company. Hopefully, IPL comes out of this unscathed; to give us cheer leaders for many more decades to come. Hopefully. SOMEONE SAVE IPL. ALGUIEN SALVA IPL.
I have a sense of humor. A Disclaimer. This is JUST my view of IPL and how I believe IPL should be. Article is based on my analysis only. I do not claim to know truth behind the curtains :)
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Regarding the Tharoor business, he deserved the sack. The 7% sweat equity is something unheard of for the kind of vaguely defined services that Sunanda Pushkar was going to render to the franchise and it was clear as daylight that this had more to do with Tharoor flexing his muscles to lobby for their group than any PR services that they were getting.
Now armed with hindsight, the immediate return of the sweat equity and then Tharoor marrying Pushkar a few months thereafter don't really do any favours to Tharoor's stance either.
I agree that he is suave and had an air of dynamism and authority about him when he broke into the political scene but good personality and education and experience can not be a substitute for lack of personal integrity.
No politician takes money for illegitimate services and then keeps the money in a bank account under his own name. Most of the shady deals are done with the benefactor's being immediate family of the politician who receive these benefits for scant and vaguely defined reasons.
Yes, there are a lot of other politicians who are in their plum posts despite having taken the country for a much bigger ride than the mere seventy crores that Tharoor seemed to want for himself. And Tharoor's lack of political capital did make sure that he couldn't keep his secrets hidden. But, that shouldn't be an excuse for what he has done or get him condoned by any means.
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