Jaipur: Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi who is on a self-imposed exile has stepped down from his position as the president of the Nagaur District Cricket Association (NDCA) on Friday night.
Taking to Twitter, Modi revealed a four-page resignation letter addressed to BCCI CEO Rahul Johri where he wished for the Rajasthan Cricket Association to be at it’s, ‘best again.’
He wrote, “I feel that the time is now ripe to pass on the baton to the next generation. Thus, today I want to bid goodbye to cricket administration for now.”
The RCA was banned by the Indian cricket board because of the involvement of Modi, who is accused of having his hand in financial irregularities and several money laundering cases. Besides there have also been criminal cases against him.
Modi in his resignation letter also took a dig at N. Srinivasan as he said that even though the Supreme Court has barred him from attending BCCI meetings, he still continues to do, while quite contrastingly, he is penalised for something he hasn’t done.
“..Indian Cricket Administration is in a state of upheaval because of Mr. N Srinivasan. The highest court of the land, the Supreme Court has ticked him off too for his involvement in Indian cricket and has also asked him to stay away.
“On the contrary, I continue to be penalized for a crime that I have not committed, even after being cleared by all the investigating agencies. But Mr N Srinivasan continues to attend BCCI meetings, despite apex court’s scathing observations. It does seem that while I have been expected to live upto higher standards by even exiting from all forms of cricket, the same rule is not applied to Mr Srinivasan. Maybe he is an exception to the rule or, may be the rule himself,” wrote Modi.
Also, inaugural IPL champions Rajasthan Royals who are set to make a comeback in the 2018 edition of the tournament after being handed a two-year ban in 2014 weren’t allowed to play their home matches at the iconic Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur because of his involvement with the RCA.
The Rajasthan Cricket Association didn’t get a total of ₹100 crores from the BCCI but with Modi’s exit, they can now hope to be included in the BCCI’s scheme of things and also get monetary support from the Indian cricket board.
Wrote Modi in his letter, “I have done my part for the betterment of Rajasthan cricket, and now it is your turn to honor your part of the promise! I repose my faith in you and the BCCI to do the right thing!,”
He also added, “I would, therefore, request you to release the funds due to RCA as soon as possible. I believe it was blocked precisely because of my presence…With my exit from all forms of cricket, at all levels, for ever, I think RCA deserves to reclaim their share and presence on the Indian cricket map. I hope the BCCI under your stewardship lives up to that promise.”
Modi’s son, Ruchir who had contested the RCA elections but lost to Congressman CP Joshi also tweeted after his father bid goodbye to cricket. Praising Lalit’s contribution to Indian cricket, he said that his father was responsible behind the high standards of sports and business in the country by beginning the IPL.
He wrote, “No one besides @LalitKModi could turn a sport into a new avatar and exponentially grow it. 1/2.” He also added, “My father set high standards for sports & business in #India by creating the @IPL. 2/2.”