Despite 2015 being a rough year for CM Vasundhara Raje, the reformist Bagged 22nd Rank on Indian Express Power List 2016-2017…
The Indian Express Power list this year doesn’t display any dramatic power shifts at centre as PM Narendra Modi stays unbeatable on first position, three times in a row. However, in Rajasthan, Vasundhara Raje definitely rules the roost—a fact that is evident from her promotion on the power list despite dissidents trying to challenge her power from time to time.
2015 was a tough year for Raje, with the media highlighting her strained relationship with the RSS and the centre. The opposition targeted her for supporting former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi and tried to rope her in the infamous mining scam. Regardless of this, Raje held her ground. She planted her roots firmly in Rajasthan, with ‘development’ being her trump card to tackle the rebels and opponents.
When Raje-led BJP came to power in 2013, they’d to deal with poor finances. While juggling with capital losses, growing expectations of the public and hurdles conjured up by opponents, Raje steered dynamic reforms in irrigation, education, food supply, labor laws and business investments, paving way for economic stability, skill-based employment and entrepreneurship in first three years of her tenure.
Based on her performance, Raje turned out to be one of the best CMs in Rajasthan so far, after late Bhairo Singh and Mohan Lal Sukhadia, who turned the state around in ways that were unimaginable. Following her pet project Bhamashah Yojana—India’s first fully digital scheme for direct benefit delivery, she laid down the foundations of one initiative after another—Jal Swavlamban, Annapurna Bhandar and Rasoi, Nyay Aapke Dwaar, Rajshree, Mukhbir etc. that reflect her since efforts in pitching Rajasthan as one of the top Indian states of the decade.
Under her watchful eye, Rajasthan surfaced as the first state to pass the ULCT (Urban land certification of titles) bill that allows rightful contenders to claim indisputable guarantee over assets (plots). Her labor law reform allowed firms to shut down operations should they incur a loss. It was done to allow churning of labor for creating more sustainable employment in the long run.
It’s not just the victory of Vasundhara Raje as an individual, but the victory of the entire state of Rajasthan that has pioneered growth in much needed sectors like agriculture, industrialization, infrastructure, tourism and trade.
Other than Raje, we saw, powerful faces like Sania Mirza, Mehbooba Mufti, Sushma Swaraj, Smriti Irani on this list which makes it clear that Indian women are no longer confined within four walls. Modern women are moving out of the homes, pushing for bigger changes and scripting a new story of success with each day. Kudos to girl power!
