E-Paper
Vasundhara Raje Scindia
She combines the glamour of the Gwalior nobility with individual charisma and dynamism that endears her to the local populace.
Scion of the Gwalior royal family and former Union minister of state in the Vajpayee ministry, Vasundhara Raje Scindia faces toughest challenge of her political career so far as she tries to oust Ashok Gehlot Government in Rajasthan as the state BJP chief.
Born on March 8, 1953 in Mumbai, the daughter of Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia combines the glamour of the Gwalior nobility with individual charisma. She married former ruler of Dholpur, Hemant Singh, on Nov 17, 1972. This marriage is an additional factor that endears her to the local populace.
Starting with a series of 'yatras' across the state, the young and dynamic leader from royal family has made the contest very interesting, with many poll pundits giving BJP a little edge over Congress this time.
She represents Rajasthan's Jhalawar seat in Parliament. It was like a cakewalk yet again for her in 1999 Lok Sabha polls when she won for the fifth time from the constituency. However, the area is still considered one of the most backward in the state.
Following is a brief profile of Vasundhara Raje Scindia
Father’s Name: Late Jivajirao Scindia
Mother’s Name: Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia
Date of Birth: 8 March 1953
Place of Birth: Mumbai (Maharashtra)
Marital Status: Married
Date of Marriage: 17 November 1972
Spouse’s Name: Hemant Singh
No. of Sons: One
Educational Qualifications: B A (Hons.) (Economics and Political Science)
Educated at Sophia College, Bombay University, Mumbai (Maharashtra)
Profession: Political and Social Worker
Permanent Address: Pratap Chowk, Jhalawar-326 001
(Rajasthan)
Present Address 1, Sunehari Bagh Road,
New Delhi-110 011
Tel. (011) 3010724, 3014210
Fax. (011) 3013103
Positions Held
1984 onwards Member, National Executive, Bharatiya Janata Party
1985-89 Member, Rajasthan Legislative Assembly
Vice-President, Yuva Morcha BJP, Rajasthan (for 2yrs)
1987 onwards Vice-President, BJP, Rajasthan
1989 Elected to 9th Lok Sabha
1990-91 Member (Library Committee), Member, consultative Committee, Ministries of Commerce and Tourism
1991 Re-elected to 10th Lok Sabha (2nd term)
1991-96 Member, Consultative Committees, Ministries of Power, Science and Technology, Environment and Tourism
1996 Re-elected to 11th Lok Sabha (3rd term)
1996-97 Member, Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests Member, Consultative Committees, Ministries of Power, Science and Technology and Tourism
1997 onwards Joint Secretary, B.J.P. Parliamentary Party
1998 Re-elected to 12th Lok Sabha (4th term)
1998-99 Union Minister of State, External Affairs
1999 Re-elected to 13th Lok Sabha (5th term)
13 Oct 1999 - 31 Aug, 2001: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Small Scale 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)
Favourite Pastime and Recreation: Reading, music and gardening
E-mail: vasundhara@sansad.nic.in
Present Address
1, Sunehari Bagh Road,
New Delhi - 110011
(011) 23010724
Permanent Address
Pratap Chowk,
Jalawar, Rajasthan
Royalty turns republican
Vijayaraje Scindia
Entry into politics: 1960
Top Post: Member of Parliament
Best known for: Being "Rajmata" of the princely state of Gwalior
Party: Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party
Constituency: Guna parliamentary constituency, Madhya Pradesh
Madhavrao Scindia (son)
Entry into politics: 1971
Top Post: Union Cabinet Minister
Best known for: Being "Prince" of Gwalior and potential prime minister
Party: Congress
Constituency: Gwalior parliamentary constituency, Madhya Pradesh
Vasundhara Raje Scindia (daughter)
Entry into politics: 1984
Top Post: Chief Minister of Rajasthan
Best known for: Being Vijayraje Scindia's daughter
Party: Bharatiya Janata Party
Constituency: Dholpur assembly constituency
In this election: Campaigning for BJP
Yashodhara Raje Scindia (daughter)
Entry into politics: 1989
Top Post: Member of Legislative Assembly, Madhya Pradesh
Best known for: Being Vijayraje Scindia's daughter
Party: Bharatiya Janata Party
In this election: Campaigning for BJP
Jyotiraditya Scindia (Madhavrao Scindia's son)
Entry into politics : 1999
Top Post: Member of Parliament
Best known for: Being Madhavrao Scindia's heir
Party: Congress
Constituency: Guna parliamentary constituency
In this election: Contesting
Dushyant Singh (Vasundhara Raje's son)
Entry into politics: 2004
Party: Bharatiya Janata Party
Constituency: Jhalawar
In this election: Contesting
