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Who is Vasundhara Raje?
Vasundhara Raje, also known as Vasundhara Raje Scindia, was born in Bombay, India, on March 8, 1953. She is an Indian politician, who rose to become a senior leader in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). She served two times (2003-08 and 2013-18) as the CM of Rajasthan state in northwestern India.
Madhavrao Scindia, Raje's older brother, was a prominent politician as well, but he belonged to the rival Indian National Congress (Congress Party) until his death in 2001.
Personal life and Education
Raje was born into the rich Scindia (Sindhia) royal family, who used to be the rulers of Gwalior, which is now in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Raje was young when her father, Jivajirao Scindia died. Her mother, Vijayaraje (or Vijaya Raje) Scindia, was a senior leader in both the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS; Indian People’s Association) and the BJP, the successor of the BJS.
Raje finished her school education at Presentation Convent School in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, and later graduated with economics and political science degrees from the Sophia School for Women, Mumbai.
On November 17, 1972, she married Maharaj Rana Hemant Singh, a member of the royal Dholpur family, but they divorced a year later. Her child, Dushyant Singh, was chosen for the Lok Sabha from her previous electorate, Jhalawar.
Her siblings are Yashodhara Raje Scindia, a former industry minister of Madhya Pradesh, the late Madhavrao Scindia, the late Padmavati Raje "Akkasaheb" Burman (1942-64), who wedded Kirit Deb Burman, the last ruling Maharaja of Tripura, and Usha Raje Rana, who wedded into the Rana family of Nepal
Political Career
Raje started her political life in 1984 as the National Executive of the relatively young BJP (laid out 1980) and rose gradually within the party hierarchy. In 1985, she was designated VP of the BJP's youth wing in Rajasthan, and after two years she became VP of the party's state unit. She served in 1997-98 as joint secretary of the BJP membership in parliament and in 2002-03 as leader of the party's Rajasthan unit.
Raje originally campaigned for elected office in 1985, winning a seat in the Rajasthan state legislative assembly. Although, after four years, she shifted her focus to national politics and was chosen for the Lok Sabha (lower chamber of the Indian parliament) in 1989.
She was elected four more times to that body before retiring in 2003. Raje got a few appointments during the period (1998-2004) that the BJP controlled the national government, including minister of state for external affairs (1998-99) and for the Department of Atomic Energy (1999-2003).
In 2003, Raje returned to state politics in Rajasthan and led the BJP to a significant victory in the legislative assembly, winning 120 out of 200 seats. The party formed a government, with Raje designated as the chief minister, the first lady to possess that position in Rajasthan.
During her time in office (2003–2008), she put a lot of emphasis on enhancing the state's infrastructure, particularly by building more roads, canals, and power plants, as well as on a variety of social initiatives (such as expanding educational opportunities for the state's youth).
Membership of legislative assembly
1985-90: member of the 8th Rajasthan legislative assembly from Dholpur.
2003-08: member of the 12th Rajasthan legislative assembly from Jhalrapatan
2008–13: 13th Rajasthan legislative assembly from Jhalrapatan
2013–18: member, 14th Rajasthan legislative assembly from Jhalrapatan
2018–present: member of the 15th Rajasthan legislative assembly from Jhalrapatan.
Membership of parliament
- 1989-91: member of the 9th Lok Sabha, from Jhalawar.
- 1991-96: member of the 10th Lok Sabha
- 1996-98: member of the 11th Lok Sabha
- 1998-99: member of the 12th Lok Sabha
- 11999-03: member of the 13th Lok Sabha.
Achievements
- Raje became the first woman to hold the position of chief minister in Rajasthan after the party established a government. During her time in office (2003–2008), she put a lot of emphasis on enhancing the state's infrastructure, particularly by building more roads, canals, and power plants, as well as on a variety of social initiatives (such as expanding educational opportunities for the state's youth).
- In acknowledgment of her work toward engaging women folk in the state, particularly, by promoting self-help groups and facilitating the establishment of microcredit programs – the United Nations gave her its Women Together Award in 2007.
- She also got the 'Best Chief Minister of the Year' Award at the 52nd Skoch Summit in 2018.
- 'Vasundhara Raje aur Vikasit Rajasthan' was a book based on the life of Vasundhara Raje by the history specialist Vijay Nahar and published by Prabhat Prakashan.
Controversies
- Raje has always been attacked by the opposition for supporting Lalit Modi. When Lalit modi was charged a corruption case, she allegedly got accused of helping him fly out of the country.
- Back in the days, when congress was in power in the state; BJP accused the party of granting mining lease to the companies dearer to the congress near the Aravalli hills. Later, when BJP came to power in 2013; Raje’s government assisted the same and justifies the lease. This has become more controversial afterwards in the media.
Net Worth
Vasundhara Raje doesn’t just possess a significant measure of land in Rajasthan and Dholpur, but additionally has a luxurious home in Delhi. It is said that Vasundhara periodically spends time here and every room in this house is open.
Vasundhara reportedly possesses a host of very good quality vehicles. She is the owner of a Fortuner vehicle worth Rs 35 lakhs, a Mercedes Benz E-Class E350 CDI worth Rs 90 lakhs, and a Honda Accord worth Rs 45 lakhs. In 2023, Vansundhara Raje’s estimated net worth stood at $5 million in the bank.