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Vasundhara Raje Scindia

PTI | Byhindustantimes.com
Apr 21, 2004 12:02 PM IST

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.

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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

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