Vasundhara Raje (born 1953)

Vasundhara Raje is an Indian politician and former Chief Minister of Rajasthan. She was born on March 8, 1953, in Mumbai to Vijayaraje Scindia and Jivajirao Scindia, both of whom were prominent figures in the Indian political landscape. Her father was a senior leader of the Bharatiya Jan Sangh, which later evolved into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Education and Early Career

Raje completed her education in Mumbai and later obtained a postgraduate degree in economics from the University of Rajasthan in Jaipur. She began her political career in 1984 when she was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) from Jhalawar constituency in Rajasthan. She was re-elected to the Lok Sabha (the lower house of the Indian parliament) in 1991, 1996, and 1998.

Political Career

In 2003, Raje became the first woman Chief Minister of Rajasthan. She held the post for two consecutive terms until 2008. During her tenure, she implemented several reforms and policies aimed at the socio-economic development of the state. She initiated the "Resurgent Rajasthan" campaign to attract investment and boost economic growth in the state. Under her leadership, Rajasthan emerged as one of the most preferred investment destinations in India.

Raje also launched several welfare schemes for the empowerment of women, children, and marginalized communities. She implemented the "Bhamashah Yojana" to provide financial assistance to women from economically weaker sections of society. She also launched the "Janani Suraksha Yojana" to provide free maternity care to pregnant women.

In 2013, Raje was re-elected as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, defeating the incumbent Congress government. During her second term, she continued her focus on infrastructure development and job creation. She launched the "Skill Rajasthan" initiative to provide vocational training to young people and improve their employability.

Controversies

Raje has faced several controversies during her political career. In 2015, she was accused of helping former Indian Premier League (IPL) chief Lalit Modi obtain travel documents from the UK government. Modi was wanted by Indian authorities for alleged financial irregularities in the organization of the IPL. Raje was also accused of involvement in a land scam in Jaipur, but no charges were filed against her.

In 2018, Raje faced criticism for her handling of the protests by the Gujjar community demanding reservation in government jobs and educational institutions. The protests turned violent, and several people were killed in clashes with the police. Raje was accused of using excessive force to quell the protests and failing to find a peaceful solution to the issue.

Personal Life

Raje is unmarried and has no children. She is a follower of the Hindu nationalist organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Her brother, Madhavrao Scindia, was also a prominent politician and served as the Minister of Civil Aviation in the Indian government.

Legacy

Raje is widely regarded as a dynamic and visionary leader who played a key role in the development of Rajasthan. Her policies and initiatives have had a lasting impact on the socio-economic development of the state. She is also credited with transforming the BJP's fortunes in Rajasthan, which was once considered a Congress stronghold. Her leadership and contribution to Indian politics have earned her widespread respect and admiration.

Conclusion

Vasundhara Raje is a prominent Indian politician and former Chief Minister of Rajasthan. She has had a long and illustrious political career and has made significant contributions to the socio-economic development of the state. Despite facing several controversies, Raje remains a respected and admired figure in Indian politics. Her legacy as a visionary and dynamic leader continues to.