Shift IPL out of Chennai: Fringe groups

A number of fringe groups in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday demanded that the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches should not be played in Chennai till the Union Government constitutes Cauvery Management Board.

The groups led by former MLA T Velmurugan said it was "improper" on the part of the BCCI to conduct the matches in Chennai when Tamils are "bursting with anger" on the sensitive Cauvery issue. He also threatened that Tamils will hold protests on the stands of the M A Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk after buying tickets if the BCCI does not heed to their demand and shift the matches out of Chennai.

"In order to condemn the Centre which shows no regard for Tamils, we request that the IPL matches in Chennai should be shifted out," he said.

Another fringe party whose leader, MLA Tamimum Ansari, warned of "imprisoning" IPL players from Tamil Nadu if they participate in the matches.

A campaign for boycotting IPL is also gaining momentum in Tamil Nadu with popular Tamil host and music composer James Vasanthan extending his support and many Twitter users openly expressing their views not to buy tickets to watch the IPL this season.