Celebrating 73 Years of Vasundhara Raje: A Journey Through Politics and Life
A Milestone Birthday
On March 8, former Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Vasundhara Raje, is celebrating her 73rd birthday. She has served as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan on two occasions. Although she faced defeat in her initial election, Raje learned from that experience and never looked back. Prior to her role as Chief Minister, she held the position of Minister of State for External Affairs and also managed the MSME Ministry.
Early Life and Family Background
Vasundhara Raje was born on March 8, 1956, in Mumbai. In 1972, she married Hemant Singh from the royal family of Dholpur. However, the couple decided to part ways just a year after their marriage. Following the birth of her son, Dushyant, Raje moved back to her maternal home in Gwalior.
Political Journey
Vasundhara Raje's political career began in her hometown. Her mother, Vijaya Raje, was associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which inspired Raje to join the party herself.
First Election and Initial Setback
Raje entered politics in 1984 when she contested her first Lok Sabha election from Bhind but faced defeat. However, she rebounded in 1985 by winning the election from Dholpur. This victory led her to become the state vice president of the Rajasthan BJP, solidifying her presence in the state's political landscape.
Key Ministerial Roles
Raje established her political base in the Jhalawar Lok Sabha constituency, where she was elected five consecutive times from the 9th to the 13th Lok Sabha. Her growing popularity caught the attention of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who appointed her as a minister in his cabinet from 1998 to 1999, granting her the status of Minister of State. She later took charge of the MSME Ministry and became active in Rajasthan's politics in 2000, during a period when the Congress party was in power.
Rajasthan's First Female Chief Minister
Raje took charge of Rajasthan and traveled across the state to mobilize BJP workers. Her efforts paid off in the 2003 assembly elections when the BJP won 110 seats. Following this victory, Bhairon Singh was appointed Vice President, and Jaswant Singh became a Union Minister. Consequently, Vasundhara Raje made history as Rajasthan's first female Chief Minister, returning to the position again in 2013.