- Vasundhara Raje
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Vasundhara Raje Scindia 22nd Chief Minister of Rajasthan In office
8 December 2003–11 December 2008Preceded by Ashok Gehlot Succeeded by Ashok Gehlot Constituency Jhalrapatan Personal details Born 8 March 1953
MumbaiPolitical party Bharatiya Janata Party Spouse(s) Hemant Singh (Divorced) Religion Hindu
Vasundhara Raje (Rajasthani: वसुंधरा राजे सिंधिया [Maratha]) was the Chief Minister of Rajasthan state of India from December 2003 till December 2008. She is the first woman Chief Minister of Rajasthan.Contents
Early life
Vasundhara Raje was born on 8th March 1953 in Mumbai. She is daughter of Vijayaraje Scindia and Jivaji Rao Scindia of Gwalior, members of the prominent Scindia ex-royal maratha family. She completed her school education from Presentation Convent, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, and later graduated with Economics and Political Science degrees (Hons.) from Sophia College, affiliated to Mumbai University, Mumbai.
Political career
Vasundhara Raje was initiated into politics by her mother in 1982. She held a variety of posts in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and was elected to the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly in 1985. From 1989 onwards she won four consecutive elections to the Lok Sabha from Jhalawar, Rajasthan. Under Atal Bihari Vajpayee's premiership, Vasundhara Raje held independent charge of numerous cabinet departments: Small Scale Industries and Agro & Rural Industries, Personnel and Training, Pensions and Pensioners’ Welfare, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space and her most prominent role, that of the Union Minister of State for External Affairs.
In 2003, she shot to prominence by leading the BJP to its biggest victory in the state elections in Rajasthan as the State BJP President; She won from Jhalrapatan seat.
As Chief Minister
Vasundhara Raje's five-year term as Chief Minister was marked by a strong focus on infrastructure-building and social initiatives, but it was also noted for caste violence and rebellion by local leaders against Vasundhara's firm style of leadership.
As the Finance Minister, Raje was able to steer the state from a budget deficit into a budget surplus for the first time since the 1991-1992 budget, in accordance with the guidelines of the 12th Finance Commission. Rajasthan became self-sufficient in power generation, and massive road and canal-building projects were undertaken under her administration. She implemented a Tourism Unit Policy, intent on expanding upon Rajasthan's ability to cater to large numbers of tourists by increasing the number of accommodations available. She was also active in courting the IT (Information Technology industry) to open offices in the state, and oversaw the building of new schools and colleges. On the social front, Vasundhara introduced mid-day meal schemes for mothers, insurance schemes, transportation vouchers for girl students and skills training for workers.[1]
In 2007, she was awarded "Women Together Award", by the United Nations Organization, for efforts to assist women in self-empowerment.[2]
On the downside, Vasundhara's government supported reservations to the Meena caste, which led to demands by the Gurjar caste for similar reservations. The protests saw the blockade of national highways and violence. Despite coming up with an amicable solution and using diplomacy with caste leaders, it was believed that the face-off led to loss of support from both castes. Another issue that was raised against her was corruption within her administration. Despite her development and social schemes. caste rivalry, corruption allegations and moves by members of the BJP who viewed her as too autocratic, all led to her defeat in the 2008 Assembly Elections in Rajasthan.[3]
Differences with BJP leaders
Although Vasundhara's political life has been surrounded by controversies, the biggest of them all was her arrogance and atitude problem. It led to her differences with many political leaders of her own party. She also antognised BJP stalwart and her political godfather Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. In a press conference, Shekhawat openly criticised Vasundhara which led to the sweeping out of the BJP in the 2009 parliamentary elections. She also has had differences with Lalit Kishore Chaturvedi, Kailash Meghwal and Jaswant Singh.
Post 2008 assembly elections
In 2008 Rajasthan assembly elections BJP suffered defeat and Vasundhara Raje quit as Chief Minister of state. Vasundhara now holds the position of Leader Of Opposition in Rajasthan state assembly.
After BJP's dismal performance in 2009 general elections in Rajasthan, there are speculations that Vasundhara may be asked to quit as leader of opposition in the state assembly as it is believed that it was due to Vasundhara's alleged misgovernance during BJP's rule in the state that the party lost its grounds among masses.
On 23rd Oct 2009 after meeting with L.K. Advani she submitted her resignation to the post of the Leader of Opposition.
In 2009, she was charged in controversial Deendayal Upadhayay Land Allotment case. Raje and 5 others have been charged with forgery and criminal conspiracy.[4]
Personal life
Vasundhara Raje married Hemant Singh of the ex-royal Dholpur family on 17 November 1972, but the couple separated a year later. Her son Dushyant Singh was elected to the Lok Sabha from her former constituency, Jhalawar.
Posts held
Membership of Legislative Assembly
- 1985-90 Member, 8th Rajasthan Legislative Assembly
- 2003-08 Member, 12th Rajasthan Legislative Assembly from Jhalrapatan
- 2008 onwards Member, 13th Rajasthan Legislative Assembly from Jhalrapatan
Membership of Parliament
- 1989-91 : Member, 9th Lok Sabha
- 1991-96 : Member, 10th Lok Sabha
- 1996-98 : Member, 11th Lok Sabha
- 1998-99 : Member, 12th Lok Sabha
- 1999-03 : Member, 13th Lok Sabha
Positions held
- 1985-87 : Vice-President, Yuva Morcha BJP, Rajasthan
- 1984 : Member, National Executive, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
- 1987 : Vice-President, BJP, Rajasthan
- 1990-91 : Member, Library Committee, Member, Consultative Committee, Ministries of Commerce and Tourism
- 1991-96 : Member, Consultative Committees, Ministries of Power, Science and Technology, Environment and Tourism1996-97 Member, Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests, Member, Consultative Committees, Ministries of Power, Science and Technology and Tourism
- 1997-1998 : Joint Secretary, BJP Parliamentary Party
- 1998-99 : Union Minister of State, External Affairs
- 13 October 1999-31 Aug.. 2001: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Small Scale Industries and Agro & Rural Industries; Department of Personnel and Training; Department of Pensions and Pensioners’ Welfare in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space
- 1 September 2001-1 November 2001: Union Minister of State, Small Scale Industries; Personnel, Training, Pensions, Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances; Department of Atomic Energy; and Department of Space (Independent Charge) 2 November 2001-
- 29 January 2003: Union Minister of State, Small Scale Industries; Personnel, Training, Pensions, Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances; Planning; Department of Atomic Energy; and Department of Space (Independent Charge) 14 November 2002 -
- 14 December 2003: President, BJP, Rajasthan
- 8 Dec, 2003 - 8 Dec, 2008: Chief Minister, Rajasthan
- 2 Jan, 2009 - Leader of Opposition, Rajasthan Legislative Assembly
Preceded by
Ashok GehlotChief Minister of Rajasthan
2003—2008Succeeded by
Ashok GehlotSee also
- Rajasthani people
- Rajasthan
References
- ^ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Jaipur/Vasundhara_lost_despite_development_/articleshow/3826221.cms
- ^ Raje gets UN award The Pioneer - 19 April 2007
- ^ http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/8914161EF536056E6525751A0045F09A?OpenDocument
- ^ Special Correspondent (13 January 2009). "Land scam case against Vasundhara". The Hindu. http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/article374215.ece. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
External links
Categories:- 1953 births
- Living people
- Bharatiya Janata Party politicians
- Scindia dynasty of Gwalior
- Rajasthani politicians
- Chief Ministers of Rajasthan
- University of Mumbai alumni
- Indian women in politics
- Members of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly
- People from Jhalawar district
- Rajasthani people
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