Home Ministry asks IPL to redraw schedule

Uncertainty gripped the conduct of high-profile Indian Premier League cricket tournament next month with the Home Ministry bluntly saying it may not be feasible to hold matches as per revised schedule and asking organisers to re-work the dates.

This follows the position taken by eight states, where matches in the second edition of the highly successful tournament were to be held, that they may not be able to provide security in view of the general elections beginning April 16.

"MHA is advising the IPL organisers that it may not be feasible to hold the matches as per the revised schedule submitted by them on March seven, 2009.

"IPL organisers have been advised to accommodate the concerns of various state governments and draw up a revised schedule and submit the same to the MHA," the Union Home Ministry said in a two-page statement.

After weeks of suspense on the fate of the cash-rich Twenty20 event, the latest communication from the Ministry has put a question mark on the tournament although IPL commissioner Lalit Modi has said they were willing to submit a new schedule.

Following hectic confabulations between senior officials of the eight states holding IPL matches and those of the Home Ministry, it said Delhi and Andhra Pradesh have expressed their inability to provide security during the election period.