Vasundhara Raje

Vasundhara Raje () was the Chief Minister of Rajasthan state of India from December 2003 till December 2008. She is the first woman Chief Minister of Rajasthan.

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...
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