Absurd to say Pawar has stake in RCB: Mallya

Bangalore, June 7 : Indian Premier League team Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) owner Vijay Mallya Monday dismissed as 'absurd' reports that Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has a stake in the team.

Mallya said the United Breweries (UB) owned by him had tens of thousands of shareholders. "That does not mean all UB shareholders have a stake in RCB."

"This is pushing the limits of absurdity," the RCB owner told reporters referring to reports suggesting Pawar had a stake in RCB also as he also held 0.05 percent shares in UB.

Mallya said Pawar's family had shares in UB but "to suggest that he is therefore a part-owner of RCB is ridiculous".

The liquor baron, who also runs Kingfisher airlines, said "Pawar is being transparent. Otherwise media would say he has stake in another IPL team."

Pawar, former president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, and his daughter Supriya Sule, a Lok Sabha member, are fighting off allegations that they were involved in the controversial second round of IPL bidding following a failed bid by a Pune group in which they have substantial stakes.