Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje could be in for more trouble for her connections with tainted IPL chief Lalit Modi. According to latest media reports, it was Raje who had recommended Modi for the Padma Awards in 2007.
The chief minister, who is already under fire from the Opposition, is said to have forwarded Modi's name for the award on July 28, 2007, through the sports council. Dainik Bhaskar reported that the Rajasthan government had cited Modi's vast business empire and his contributions in development of cricket in the state as a ground for the award. The recommendation letter also mentioned how Modi helped the state in organising six matches of Champions League.
Raje has been in the dock for giving an affidavit to the UK government in favour of Lalit Modi, who is facing an Enforcement Directorate probe into alleged money laundering in connection with organising the IPL tournament.
The Congress had held statewide protests and a massive rally in the state capital demanding Raje’s resignation following the revelations on her ties with Lalit Modi.
The Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi is all set to take up the issue during his upcoming two-day tour of Rajasthan on July 16 and 17.
Raje’s son Dushyant Singh, has also been under attack over reports that his company received Rs 11.63 crore in investments from Modi in 2008. The Congress has been demanding a CBI probe into the alleged money deals worth crores of rupees between the Rajasthan chief minister, her s and the tainted former Indian Premier League chief Lalit Modi.
Image: Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje with former IPL chief Lalit Modi. Photograph: PTI
