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Jaipur:
IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi, who is at the centre of the IPL mess right now, has been the controversy's child in Rajasthan for several years.
Known for his closeness to former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, Modi was allegedly involved in numerous land deals during Raje's tenure.
And after the IPL row, the link between Modi and Vasundhara is once again under the scanner.
Critics say that during Raje's regime, Modi operated as a 'Super Chief Minister' and forced bureaucrats to bring files on all major deals to his hotel.
This is a prime reason why Modi was a key target of the Congress campaign in the last Rajasthan elections.
"They have looted Rajasthan. With Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje's encouragement, fixers and dealers from Mumbai and Delhi have come here. Who is Lalit Modi and what has been his role? The Chief Minister should clarify what is her relationship with him," said Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot.
It was Modi's clout with Raje that allegedly facilitated the entry of big builders in Rajasthan.
Among the most controversial deals were the SEZ, World Trade Park and IT corridor near Jaipur, where land was given at throwaway prices to benefit big builders.
With the Income Tax probe likely to focus on the Modi-Vasundhara link, BJP leaders are now keen to distance themselves from the row.
"As Lalit Modi is the IPL Commissioner, he should be definitely investigated. As for Vasundhara Raje, I have no information if she was involved in any of his activities or with the IPL," BJP President in Rajasthan, Arun Chaturvedi.
Lalit Modi and his business associates allegedly flouted rules and manipulated state agencies such as the Board of Infrastructure Development and Investment to ensure gains for private builders.
A slew of corruption charges especially over dubious land deals was considered a prime factor for the BJP's defeat in the Rajasthan elections. And with Lalit Modi in the middle of the IPL row, the Modi-Vasundhara equation is now at the centre of a raging debate here.
Known for his closeness to former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, Modi was allegedly involved in numerous land deals during Raje's tenure.
And after the IPL row, the link between Modi and Vasundhara is once again under the scanner.
Critics say that during Raje's regime, Modi operated as a 'Super Chief Minister' and forced bureaucrats to bring files on all major deals to his hotel.
This is a prime reason why Modi was a key target of the Congress campaign in the last Rajasthan elections.
"They have looted Rajasthan. With Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje's encouragement, fixers and dealers from Mumbai and Delhi have come here. Who is Lalit Modi and what has been his role? The Chief Minister should clarify what is her relationship with him," said Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot.
It was Modi's clout with Raje that allegedly facilitated the entry of big builders in Rajasthan.
Among the most controversial deals were the SEZ, World Trade Park and IT corridor near Jaipur, where land was given at throwaway prices to benefit big builders.
With the Income Tax probe likely to focus on the Modi-Vasundhara link, BJP leaders are now keen to distance themselves from the row.
"As Lalit Modi is the IPL Commissioner, he should be definitely investigated. As for Vasundhara Raje, I have no information if she was involved in any of his activities or with the IPL," BJP President in Rajasthan, Arun Chaturvedi.
Lalit Modi and his business associates allegedly flouted rules and manipulated state agencies such as the Board of Infrastructure Development and Investment to ensure gains for private builders.
A slew of corruption charges especially over dubious land deals was considered a prime factor for the BJP's defeat in the Rajasthan elections. And with Lalit Modi in the middle of the IPL row, the Modi-Vasundhara equation is now at the centre of a raging debate here.
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