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| IPL row takes its toll on Pranab's visit to US | | | ABID SHAH
Early Times Report
NEW DELHI, Apr 24: The Indian Premier League or IPL Cricket controversy has taken its toll upon Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee's visit to the United States to attend the meeting of International Monetary Fund (IMF). Though there has thus far been no official announcement regarding the cancellation of what was going to be the Pranab Mukherjee's first visit to the US after taking over as Finance Minister, now it has become obvious that he would not attend the IMF meeting that is slated to conclude in Washington DC tomorrow. Obviously, Mukherjee has been two preoccupied by events at home ever since the IPL controversy hit the Government leading to the exit of one of the Central Ministers. After allegations of impropriety Union Minister of State for External Affairs Sahshi Tharoor was asked to resign on April 18 when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh returned from America after attending the summit on nuclear security called by President Barack Obama.
Ever since demands for a thorough probe into various deals made by IPL was made and Finance Minister was asked to ensure this by Prime Minister and ruling conglomerate or UPA's chairperson Sonia Gandhi. A clear confrontation between Congress and Nationalist Congress Party led by Union Minister for Agriculture Sharad Pawar started threatening in the wake of the probe into the IPL affair. Reports about exchange of information regarding IPL bids between Praful Patel, another Union Minister from NCP, and Shashi Tharoor has further complicated matters.
This is more so since the Government is poised to bring crucial Finance Bill in Parliament next week where its dependence on its allies like NCP is quite heavy since Opposition has threatened to bring a cut motion and possibly a vote on the bill.
Thus, Pranab Mukherjee who presented the first Budget after becoming Finance Minister during the present and second term of the UPA has been held back from attending the IMF meeting now taking place in US.
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