New Delhi:
“God speaks of man as his own creature, who he can destroy at his will". But is the God destructible himself? Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje who created Lalit Modi is on the verge of destruction herself after the controversial interview of the IPL Chief which surfaced on TV channels on June 17.
The spotlight suddenly shifted from External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to Rajasthan Chief Minister on Tuesday night after IPL commissioner Lalit Modi’s explosive interview to a news channel.
The fresh twist in controversy proved a little demanding for Raje after Modi claimed that the CM had also secretly helped him while he was in London for wife’s treatment. Earlier, he shared details of assistance by Sushma Swaraj who helped him get travel documents from the British government.
Modi’s team also released the three-page document which shows that Raje supported his application for immigration to the UK in 2011.
The document which dates back to 18 August 2011 states that the witness statement is provided on the strict understanding that its contents and the identity of its maker are treated confidentially.
It reads: "I make this statement in support of any immigration application that Lalit Modi makes, but do so on the strict condition that my assistance will not become known to the Indian authorities.
"When Raje was questioned regarding the same, she responded, “I know Modi's family. But I do not know what is this document they are talking about?”
The government is looking into the authenticity of the document nut it has not been verified yet.Grabbing the opportunity, opposition has started demanding her resignation for helping a man who was claimed to be tainted and corrupt.
Meanwhile, Modi has maintained that he is not a fugitive and not a single case has been proven against him in India.But, the question which raises here is that why suddenly friends have turned foe? All know that Lalit Modi was created by Vasundhara Raje a decade back.
Then why is Modi targeting the Chief Minister? He planned and promised to unleash a war and tumbled several skeletons from his closet but his dear friend Raje also appeared as one shocked many.
It was Raje who handed over Rajasthan Cricket Association to Modi in a controversial sports ordinance.
The RCA comprised of 32 district associations and 67 individual members but Raje brought an ordinance denting voting rights to individual members which lead to the fall of Rungta family loyalists and rise of Lalit Modi.
This came at a time when Modi was ineligible for elections due to his controversial cases in US. Modi was accused of possessing drugs, kidnapping and assault while he was a university student and confessed to committing the offences before a North Carolina court.
However, a friendly Raje government always stood by his side.
She was often targeted by opposition for her links with Lalit Modi. At the same time, Raje’s son Dushyant, who is a two-term MP from Dholpur, was also linked with Modi in some financial deals.
The case came up after a Jaipur-based lawyer Poonam Chand Bhandari wrote a series of letters to the Enforcement Directorate.In her letters she claimed that Modi had laundered black money for Raje's son in the form of Rs 11.63 crore which was routed to Niyant Heritage Hospitality Ltd by a company owned by Modi and his wife.
She also alleged that Dushyant and his wife are directors and shareholders in Niyant Hospitality.
But all did not end well between Raje and Modi for long and reports of the relations turning sour came in 2013 during the state’s election campaign when Modi sent out a series of damaging tweets alleging Jaitley was conspiring against Raje.
His tweets were: "Elections round the corner... Seems coterie of Arun Jaitley-Bhupendra Yadav has started to sell tickets. Cash-for-tickets seems (to be the) new mantra. Sad. Be careful... Arun Jaitley's Man Friday Bhupendra Yadav and your man (Dhirendra) Kamthan sell tickets for cash."
Notably, Modi’s close aide was denied party ticket from Dausa. Later, Modi demanded that Raje be replaced with Prime Minister's trusted lieutenant and BJP general secretary Om Mathur.
The real reasons for the feud were never known and with yesterday’s interview one thing has become clear that Modi is trying to take everybody down with him. But will Raje be able to save herself or will be destroyed by the man she created a decade ago?
