Some channels tarnishing Raje's image: CM's office

The Rajasthan chief minister's office on Friday came down heavily on TV channels saying that "some of them are showing baseless and untrue reports" pertaining to Vasundhara Raje.

Raje and Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj have recently courted controversy over their alleged role in extending favours to former Indian Premier League (IPL) chief Lalit Modi.

The statement, issued by the press advisor to the chief minister said: "Today also, some of the channels are showing baseless, misleading and unsubstantiated reports."

"To tarnish the political image of the chief minister, some of the TV channels are showing fabricated reports," the statement said.

"The news that signature of 120 MLAs have been taken in support of Raje is completely untrue. Even the news that chief minister Vasundhara Raje has privately called legislators on phone to prove their loyalties and come forward in support of her is completely false," it said.

Vasundhara Raje on Friday met Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators, her cabinet colleagues and senior government officials at her official residence.

"On every Friday, the chief minister meets BJP party workers and others and discusses issues relating to development and problems in their area with them. Today, the chief minister met them and legislators on the same issue and it is unfair to see it from a different perspective," the statement said.

"Please verify and confirm the report before running any such news report", the statement said.

However, the chief minister and her office have so far not come forward to speak to the media.

Earlier on Friday, Ashok Parnami, state president of the BJP, said all allegations against the chief minister were baseless and far from the truth.

"All allegations against the chief minister are baseless," Parnami said while speaking to the media here.

Raje is slated to visit Delhi and attend a Niti Ayog meeting on Saturday.