Tharoor to explain his role in IPL to Sonia

New Delhi: Union Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor will meet Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Thursday to explain his stand on the controversy surrounding the Kochi team in the Indian Premier League.

Earlier, Tharoor met Congress' top strategists and Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Defence Minister AK Antony.

Tharoor arrived in Parliament where he is likely to clear the air on the floor of the House. Sources say, he has drafted a statement which he will read out in Parliament. Tharoor has been under fire from the Opposition and even his own party leaders over the Kochi IPL ownership fiasco.

The Left has once again demanded that Tharoor should resign pending an enquiry into the entire episode.

"There should be appropriate enquiry and the minister should step down until he's cleared," said CPI-M's Brinda Karat.

Former Samajwadi party leader Amar Singh said the source of the money behind the IPL Kochi team should be revealed.

"If he has not misused his official position, then here is no harm is having friendship with a beautiful woman. It is necessary to have transparency in public life. But investigations should be done to know the source of money," said Singh.

Even Congress spokesperson Ambika Soni said that there should have been more transparency in the entire matter.

"There should be transparency in all public dealings. Country wants transparency in all commercial activities," she said.

Meanwhile, Pranab and Antony met Sonia to discuss the Government's strategy.

But the Congress is going into Parliament trying to deflect the Opposition's focus by stressing that IPL is a non-issue when compared to Naxalism and the price rise issue.

"Dantewada Naxal attack, price rise, nuclear agreement and women reservation are serious issues to be discussed in Parliament," said Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

"Media harps back to only one issue - Tharoor affair. We are not avoiding Tharoor controversy. The Prime Minister has made a statement that we will look into it after ascertaining the facts. We have the right to comment on Tharoor matter later on. Wait for our action on Tharoor at this moment," he said.

The Tharoor-Lalit Modi spat over the IPL Kochi team has been lapped up by the Opposition which has been demanding that he (Tharoor) be sacked from the Union Ministry immediately.