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HPCA facilitated Modi’s proxy entry into BCCI
The man who changed land scape of cricket – former Indian Premier League commissioner Lalit Modi - has close connection with scenic hills of Himachal Pradesh.
The man who changed land scape of cricket – former Indian Premier League commissioner Lalit Modi - has close connection with scenic hills of Himachal Pradesh.
In Indian cricket, sum of Rs 14 lakh is paltry amount but Modi had offered money to Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) to get a proxy entry into the Board of Cricket Control of India (BCCI).
"I don't remember exactly but Modi had offered money to help promote cricket in Himachal Pradesh," Major (retd) SC Nayyar, who was secretary of HPCA in 1999 told Hindustan Times.
Though Nayyar refused to disclose the amount of money paid to HPCA, but reliable sources in the cricket association say that Modi paid Rs 14 lakh through company - Godfrey Philips.
"Modi had represented Himachal Pradesh in BCCI," confirmed Nayyar, as he fails to explain reason for allowing Modi to get proxy entry into BCCI.
Lalit Modi was the Executive Director of Godfrey Philips at that point of time.
Modi had approached the HPCA on several occasions to seek membership.
"Modi was keen to join HPCA. He promised to change the face of Himachal cricket," said Nayyar.
Modi turned towards Rajasthan after HPCA's general house turned down his request for a membership.
"Since HPCA's rules do not allow non bonafide Himachali to seek membership, Modi's request was turned down," said Nayyar.
HPCA was headed by former Congress MLA from Lahaul and Spiti Raghubir Thakur.
Modi's visit to Dharamsala for the first match at the Dharamsala stadium has already courted controversy as the opposition Congress alleged that the state government made its chopper available to Modi free of cost.
Congress had sought explanation from the government for the "misuse" of chopper.
