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Vasundhara Raje back on BJP posters in Rajasthan

Cabinet minister Bhupendra Yadav’s Jan Ashirwad Yatra has included Raje on the posters, putting an end to the poster row.

Updated on: Aug 19, 2021, 17:01:46 IST
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After long bickering in state BJP, former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje has returned on party posters.

BJP leader Vasundhara Raje. (HT archive)
BJP leader Vasundhara Raje. (HT archive)

Cabinet minister Bhupendra Yadav’s Jan Ashirwad Yatra has included Raje on the posters, putting an end to the poster row which was going on for the last several months.

Not only has she returned but has also been given prominence as she has been placed centrally in the poster released by the BJP for the Yatra, along with party state president Satish Poonia and Leader of Opposition Gulab Chand Kataria on her flanks.

Other than PM Narendra Modi, national party chief JP Nadda, state incharge Arun Singh, Raje Poonia, and Kataria, the Yatra posters also bear photos of three Union ministers from Rajasthan – Gajendra Singh, Arjun Ram Meghwal and Kailash Choudhary.

Over the development, a party MLA on anonymity commented that this must have been done on directions of Bhupendra Yadav as he always has balanced things. But her inclusion in the poster is not alone, three more faces have been added.

A party office-bearer said the Yatra is a central program and accordingly all senior leaders’ photos, including that of Raje, and other ministers in GoI, are there on the posters.

A controversy and war of words had erupted between state BJP workers and Raje’s supporters after photos of Raje were removed from the state’s party posters in state capital Jaipur around two months ago.

Even during the last assembly by-polls on three seats, her photo was missing from hoarding and posters. At Rajsamand, the posters did have her photo but not at all places. A BJP leader had then stated that they are following the protocol and photos of only the CM, the leader of the opposition, and the state party chief can be used.

Raje, who never commented on the development, recently broke her silence for the first time, saying, “I don’t believe in politics of posters, but want to dwell in people’s hearts and intend to carry out such works that remain their memory.”

Meanwhile, Union labour minister Bhupendra Yadav on Thursday began his Jan Ashirwad Yatra in Congress-ruled Rajasthan from Alwar district where he addressed a public gathering and highlighted the achievements of the central government.

The yatra began from Alwar bypass in Bhiwadi. He was received by the party leaders and workers, thereafter the yatra moved to the party office in Bhiwadi.

He addressed the gathering there and said that the government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is transforming India into ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.

He also targeted the Ashok Gehlot government in Rajasthan saying there is a fight between Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot over the chair (chief ministership).

He also exuded confidence that the party will form the next government in the state. After the address, he resumed the onward journey in a specially designed vehicle.

Yadav, along with Union Jal Shakti minister Gajendra Shekhawat, state president Satish Poonia, deputy leader of opposition Rajendra Rathore and other leaders, was mounted on the vehicle painted in saffron colour.

The yatra was escorted by party workers on a motorcycle by a large number of cars and other vehicles were also part of the yatra which is scheduled to reach Jaipur by evening. He will cover Jaipur district on Friday and Ajmer on Saturday.

Senior Congress leader Archana Sharma said BJP is daydreaming that they will come into power in Rajasthan. She said what ashirwad (blessing) are they seeking? “People died due to a shortage of oxygen and inflation is uncontrollable,” she said.

  • Sachin Saini
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Sachin Saini

    Sachin Saini is Special Correspondent for Rajasthan. He covers politics, tourism, forest, home, panchayati raj and rural development, and development journalism.