Vasundhara Raje: A Prominent Figure in Indian Politics

Vasundhara Raje Scindia, a stalwart of Indian politics, has been a significant figure in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for decades. Born on March 8, 1953, in Mumbai, she hails from the esteemed Scindia royal family of Gwalior. Raje's political career began in 1984 when she joined the BJP, and she has since risen through the party's hierarchy with remarkable tenacity.

Raje has served as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan twice, from 2003 to 2008 and again from 2013 to 2018. During her tenure, she focused heavily on enhancing the state's infrastructure, including the construction of roads, canals, and power plants. Her efforts in promoting social initiatives, particularly in expanding educational opportunities and empowering women through self-help groups and microcredit programs, earned her the United Nations' Women Together Award in 2007.

Political Career and Achievements

Raje's political journey is marked by several milestones. She was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 1989 and served five terms until 2003. She held various ministerial positions, including Minister of State for External Affairs and the Department of Atomic Energy. In 2003, she led the BJP to a significant victory in the Rajasthan state assembly elections, becoming the first woman to hold the office of Chief Minister in Rajasthan.

Her second term as Chief Minister saw the BJP win a landslide victory in the 2013 state assembly polls, capturing 163 seats. However, the party lost control of the assembly in the 2018 elections, ending her chief ministership. Despite this, Raje retained her seat in the assembly and remains a influential figure within the party.

Controversies and Current Standing

Raje has faced several controversies, including accusations of supporting Lalit Modi during his corruption case and her government's handling of mining leases near the Aravalli hills. These issues have contributed to the BJP's poor performance in certain elections and have led to criticism from the opposition.

Recently, Raje has been at odds with the BJP's central leadership. Despite her seniority, she was not considered for the chief minister's position in the 2023 Vidhan Sabha elections. Instead, Bhajan Lal Sharma, a first-time MLA, was chosen as the Chief Minister, a decision that was seen as a clear signal from the party's central leadership that she no longer had their favour. This move has led to speculation about her future role within the party.

Raje's influence in Rajasthan remains significant, with around 45 out of 115 BJP MLAs supporting her. Her son, Dushyant Singh, a five-time MP from Jhalawar, has also been a key figure in her political career. However, the non-inclusion of her son in the union cabinet has further strained her relationship with the party's central leadership.

Speculations on Future Roles

There have been recent speculations about Raje potentially taking on a national role within the BJP, including the possibility of her becoming the party's national president. However, these reports are still speculative, and her relationship with key figures like Narendra Modi and Amit Shah remains a subject of debate.