Captain Crony capital

The IPL commissioner’s friends and family got it all—no questions asked, write Rohit Mahajan and Arindam Mukherjee in this week's lead story of Outlook. Ultimately, what has proved to be Modi's undoing is his hubris, that of a man spoilt by his riches, who has known only to have his own way in life.

Though Lalit and Vasundhararaje had known each other for several years—he was seen accompanying her to a Union minister to seek clearance for a factory near Gwalior in the early 1990s—his star shone brighter than ever because she was now chief minister. Such was his clout, Lalit acquired the sobriquet of the ‘Super Chief Minister’. His arrogance was the talk of the town; his opulent suite at the luxury Rambagh Palace hotel almost the centre of government, as officials were summoned to receive orders.