Lalit Modi, the former Chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL), has made serious allegations regarding the political dynamics surrounding the Kochi Tuskers IPL franchise in 2010. In an interview, he claimed that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, led by Congress, conspired to protect Shashi Tharoor amid concerns over the franchise's financial structure, which he deemed fraudulent. Modi stated that he faced intense pressure from high-ranking officials, including Sonia Gandhi and Pranab Mukherjee, to approve the consortium despite his reservations about the legitimacy of 25% equity awarded to Tharoor's late wife, Sunanda Pushkar. He recounted a threatening phone call from Tharoor, warning him against probing Pushkar's identity. Modi ultimately signed the franchise agreement under duress, as he alleges that BCCI president Shashank Manohar insisted on immediate approval. The Kochi franchise, which had a $350 million bid, was terminated in 2011 after a poor performance in its inaugural season. Modi also discussed receiving humanitarian aid from Sushma Swaraj during a personal crisis, emphasizing that it was not a political favor.