A Maratha by birth, Jat by marriage and having a Gurjar daughter-in-law, Raje shares strong connections with Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. When she first stepped into Rajasthan politics, she dropped her royal surname ‘Scindia’ that was her first ticket to fame and fortune. By confining her surnames to family albums, Raje chucked the ‘outsider tag’ and dedicated herself to the welfare of Rajasthan society, including all 36 communities. Rajputs Vasundhara Raje
Over the years, opposition leaders have taunted Raje government of denying Rajput leaders their right but if you delve into Rajasthan politics, you can’t ignore the role of CM Vasundhara Raje in representing Rajput families as well as other communities.
Unlike other Rajasthan politicians like Ashok Gehlot, C.P. Joshi or Kirodi Lal Meena who represent a particular clan, Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje carries an umbrella of all castes that are socially inimical. This applies to the Rajput communities, who experienced a cold-shoulder by Rajasthan BJP, following the demise of veteran Rajput leader Late Bhairo Singh Shekhawat.
How Raje Restored the Long-lost Glory of the Rajputs? Rajputs Vasundhara Raje
When the opposition boasted of including more Rajput ministers in the cabinet, Raje hit back with her fighters VP Singh, Gajendra Singh, Rajendra Rathore, Diya Kumari, Rohini Kumari and Sidhi Kumari. Her brigade of Rajput ministers was not just confined to the elite royal families, but from humble middle-class and lower classes, as well.
The induction of Olympic medallist Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Sanwar Lal Jat in Rajasthan politics was a big game-changer that has turned the Rajput families in favour of Rajasthan BJP. Her efforts gradually gained the respect of Padmini Devi, the forerunner of Maharani Gayatri Devi’s clan and several royal families came to support Raje during here election campaigning in 2013. Rajputs Vasundhara Raje
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This was all about the past. At present, Rajasthan cabinet includes 21 Rajput MLAs (under BJP) and 3 MPs (all BJP), which is a powerful number in itself. And it’s not just the political front, the CM had diverted her attention to the social and cultural aspects too.
Raje’s efforts breathed life into Weir fort, Deeg fort, Rana Sanga Smarak, Safed Mahal, Mauborda and Gagron forts– all important landmarks in Rajputana history, which were neglected by Rajasthan Congress during its 10-year tenure. Perhaps because they were too busy working on the ‘representation of Rajputs in their cabinet’.
Rather than focusing on a particular region, Raje took an initiative to revive and establish the glory of Kumbalgarh, Udaipur and Mewar districts in real life. The Maharana Pratap Gaurav Kendra and Surajmal Panorama were two such examples that spread the glorious tales of Rajputana warriors far and wide. Rajputs Vasundhara Raje
With these efforts, Raje has effectively shown that representation of a particular community is not just confined to promoting their stature in the government, but uplifting their overall status in society. By providing them means to stand on their own feet and keeping the spirit of Rajputana alive in not just history, but in the present times as well, Raje proves that she’s a real Rajput at heart– one who doesn’t need others’ approval for what she does. Haters may hate all they want, but they can’t deny that Raje has done a better job in terms of winning the Rajput mandate, compared to her contemporaries in Rajasthan. Rajputs Vasundhara Raje
