In Raje's first term, he was in full control of Rajasthan

Former IPL chief Lalit Modi has always been more than a high-flying cricket administrator in the previous tenure of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje in Rajasthan. While it was Raje who initially promoted Modi in Rajasthan, at the peak of his influence, former IPL chief controlled the then BJP government and became more than a power broker who dominated everything in the state.

Raje and Modi share strong family ties as Raje’s mother Vijaya Raje Scindia and Modi’s father Krishan Kumar Modi were also friends and the two families had several common friends.  Though Modi and family originally belong to Rajasthan, the former IPL chief mostly remained outside to handle and promote his business.

With an objective to get a strong foothold in the BCCI, Lalit Modi first appeared on Rajasthan’s political horizon by winning the elections of Nagaur cricket association. Later, Raje handed over Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) to him by bringing in a controversial Sports Act. The legislation was specially designed for Modi to enable him contest the RCA elections despite being convicted for possessing drugs, kidnapping and assault in the US during his early days.

In the previous BJP government, Lalit Modi emerged as an epicentre of power – he controlled bureaucracy, cracked deals on behalf of Raje, took important decision in government and virtually took the state in his grip.  Bureaucrats were made to wait for the final instructions of Modi on most of the important issues in the state.

Congress leader and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot has always accused Raje for sending her bureaucrats with files to Lalit Modi to take instructions on important issues. From 2003 to 2008 in previous BJP government, Modi was tagged as second chief minister of the state who would never hesitate to snub IPS officers and senior bureaucrats in full public glare.

Driven by proximity to Raje, Modi even managed election campaign for Raje and influenced the ticket distribution in 2008 Assembly elections. BJP leaders later charged that Modi’s interference led to party’s defeat.

Modi first landed in a controversy when he acquired heritage havelis in Amber said to be at throwaway prices. Later in 2008, the Congress government seized the havelis and ordered a probe. At the same time, Raje’s son Dushyant got embroiled in the controversy for his reported financial deals with Modi. Allegations were levelled that Rs 11 crore was routed to Dushyant’s company illegally.

When Raje was leader of opposition in Rajasthan, her frequent and long stays in London made her soft target both within and outside the party. In the present tenure, Raje was again in the spotlight for reportedly signing a memorandum of understanding with a private Portuguese cancer organisation, the Champalimaud Foundation that treated Lalit Modi’s wife a few months back.