Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has cancelled a visit to Anandpur Sahib in Punjab
Battling allegations linked to former IPL chief Lalit Modi, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has cancelled a trip to Punjab today that would have brought her face to face with BJP chief Amit Shah and Home Minister Rajnath Singh today. She is unwell, said her office this morning.
"Her doctor Sudhir Bhandari has said that she has a back pain and advised her to take rest," a statement from the Chief Minister's office said.
She also called off an event last evening, sources close to her said.
Ms Raje was to join the celebrations to mark 350 years of the Anandpur Sahib, a Sikh shrine, and share the stage with Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.
Her decision to beg off comes after reports that the BJP has distanced itself from her and decided not to defend her until facts are clearer.
On Tuesday, Ms Raje phoned Amit Shah to clarify her position after documents released by Lalit Modi's team showed that she had agreed to secretly support his immigration application to the UK.
She is also confronting allegations involving a business deal between her son Dushyant Singh and Lalit Modi.
After her phone call to the BJP chief, sources indicated that the party was not entirely convinced by her explanation that she shared close family ties with the former IPL boss but there is no wrongdoing on her part.
Her office has denied reports that she had sought an appointment with Amit Shah or that she was refused a meeting.
Amid calls for Ms Raje's resignation, BJP leaders in Rajasthan have rallied behind her.
Health minister and government spokesperson Rajendra Rathore said on Thursday: "All the MLAs in Rajasthan are with the chief minister - she is our leader and she will remain so there is no question of her resigning."