Indian Premier League commissioner Lalit Modi on Sunday blamed the Rajasthan government for his defeat in the state's cricket association election.
Modi, who lost 13-18 to IAS officer Sanjay Dixit for the Rajasthan Cricket Association president's post, alleged that the Ashok Gehlot led government had a role in his defeat.
"I paid the price of being close to Vasundhara Raje (former chief minister of Rajasthan). The state government did whatever it could to defeat me," Modi told reporters after the results were declared.
However, the IPL chairman said he was happy to have contributed something to the game's development in the state.
"At the end of the day my contribution has been to the game of cricket. We will continue and have lots more to do," said Modi, who became the RCA president in 2005.
The outgoing president also said the outcome of today's result would have no bearing on the IPL matches in the state.
"This will not affect the IPL matches. They will be held in Jaipur only. As far as the Rajasthan Royals are concerned, they are going to decide on the matches.
"We have nothing to do with that. The matches will continue, the administration gives us all the support. I am sure they will," he said.
Asked whether it was a prestige battle, Modi said, "No... (But) it was a battle without doubt. Any election is a battle," he told NDTV.
Dixit, who alleged that Modi had offered huge sums of money to lure his supporters, hit back saying it was really strange that someone like Modi would talk about government support.
"If a man like Lalit Modi talks about the support of the government then it is like pot calling the kettle black," Dixit told newsmen after his victory.
"RCA has been brought down during his (Modi's) tenure and we would like to put things back in order," said Dixit.
