Vasundhara Raje

Vasundhara Raje is the Chief Minister of Rajasthan state of India since December 2003. She is the first woman Chief Minister of Rajasthan.

Early life

Vasundhara Raje was born on March 8 1953 in Mumbai.She is daughter of Rajmata Vijayraje Scindia and Jivaji Rao Scindia of Gwalior.She completed her school education from Presentation Convent, Kodaikanal. Thereafter, she graduated in Economics and Political Science (Hons.) from Sophia College, Mumbai University, Mumbai, She married former Maharajah of Dholpur, Hemant Singh, on 17 November 1972.

Politics

Vasundhara Raje was initiated into politics by her mother in 1984. She held a variety of posts in the 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. She held a variety of posts in the Vajpayee cabinets, the most prominent being the 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; where she represents the Jhalrapatan seat. Her son Dushyant Singh was elected to the Lok Sabha from her former constituency.

In 2007, she was awarded "Women Together Award", by the UNO, for efforts to assist women in self-empowerment.

In 2008, her government is facing a tough challenge in handling the 2008 caste violence in Rajasthan.

Posts held

Membership of Legislative Assembly

1985-90 Member, 8th Rajasthan Legislative Assembly
2003 onwards Member, 12th 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 B.J.P., Rajasthan
1984 : Member, National Executive, Bharatiya Janata Party (B.J.P.)
1987 : Vice-President, B.J.P., 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, B.J.P. Parliamentary Party
1998-99 : Union Minister of State, External Affairs
13 Oct. 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 Sept. 2001-1 Nov. 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 Nov. 2001-
29 Jan. 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 Nov. 2002 -
14 Dec. 2003: President, B.J.P., Rajasthan
8 Dec, 2003: Chief Minister, Rajasthan