Vasundhara Raje's defence to BJP leadership: Signed Lalit Modi's documents as a friend

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, who is embroiled in a controversy over former Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner Lalit Modi's immigration plea, has given her defence to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership.

According to sources, the Rajasthan Chief Minister has said that she signed the documents aiding Lalit Modi's immigration plea in the capacity of the former IPL czar's friend.

The Rajasthan leader is also believed to have told the BJP central leadership that she did not depose before any court, claiming that the documents did not even end up helping Lalit Modi.

This comes shortly after the BJP initiated the verification of all documents regarding Raje's alleged aid to the former IPL chief.

Earlier on Thursday, sources had said that the Rajasthan Chief Minister met her close aide and state cabinet minister Rajendra Rathore in Jaipur, adding that the former would visit Delhi to meet the central BJP leadership in the national capital.

Meanwhile, the BJP is 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.

The Rajasthan Chief Minister had reportedly in 2011 backed 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.