Lalit Modi, the former chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL), has publicly responded to repeated criticisms from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, questioning the motives behind Gandhi's focus on him over the past 17 years. In an interview, Modi stated that the absence of any legal action against him during this time is evidence of his innocence. He challenged authorities to take him to court, emphasizing that if there were any valid accusations, they would have surfaced by now. Modi expressed frustration at being a frequent target of Gandhi's speeches, particularly during election seasons, and argued that his visibility in cricket makes him a more significant target compared to other business figures like Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani. He further claimed to be wary of political vendettas rather than the legal system itself, attributing the controversies to individuals with political influence. Additionally, Modi recounted the challenges he faced during the 2009 IPL, alleging that P. Chidambaram, then Home Minister, threatened him and obstructed the tournament's organization in Congress-ruled states, forcing a relocation to South Africa.