BJP verifies documents alleging Raje helped Lalit Modi; Rajasthan CM's aide likely to meet top leadership

With the Opposition demanding her immediate resignation over Lalit Modi controversy, Vasundhara Raje is formulating strategy on her future course of action while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) initiated the verification of all documents regarding the Rajasthan Chief Minister's alleged aid to the former IPL chief's immigration plea.

The party is also verifying the alleged links between Lalit Modi and Raje's son Dushyant Singh.

Earlier on Thursday, sources had said that the Rajasthan Chief Minister met her close aide and state cabinet minister Rajendra Rathore in Jaipur.

Sources further said that Rajasthan Health Minister Rathore is expected to travel to the national capital following the meeting, adding that Raje was gauging the mood of her MLAs in the state.

Rathore is expected to meet the central leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of Raje's visit to Delhi.

This came amid sources saying that the BJP was divided over action against Raje. While one section of the party is in the favour of action against Raje to save party image, the other feels that it would lead to pressure on other leaders, who are embroiled in the controversy, to quit.

Earlier, reports said that the Rajasthan Chief Minister had in 2011 backed former Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner Lalit Modi's immigration plea in Britain.

"Given my close understanding of, and involvement in Indian politics, I have absolutely no doubt that the broad, full frontal attack that Lalit is currently facing in India is politically motivated.

"Certain elements within Indian politics seek to preserve their own interest by exacting revenge on political opponents. This is exactly the motive that is guiding the attack on Lalit at the moment in India," she had said in her witness statement before the British authorities.

She insisted that by "destroying" and "discrediting" Modi the Congress party hoped to remove, "one of my key supporters" from the political scene.

"In the course of doing so by virtue of my association with him, they hope to politically discredit me as well," she said in the witness statement given on August 18, 2011.

Meanwhile, the Congress has upped the ante against Raje, demanding her immediate resignation. Members of the party on Thursday also staged protests outside the BJP headquarters in the national capital.