Feeling ignored, Vasundhara Raje tries to assert herself in Rajasthan BJP

Even as Rajasthan Congress struggles to keep a balance between Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot camps, the BJP in the state is staring at a rising rebellion from its own former chief minister Vasundhara Raje, who has her supporters canvassing for her to become the next chief minister after the 2023 Assembly elections.

Also read: Rajasthan: Silence can be her strategy, says Shekhawat on Vasundhara Raje

Several supporters of Raje have formed an organization named ‘Vasundhara Raje Samarthak Manch Rajasthan’.

Analysts see this as Raje’s ploy to reassert her authority in Rajasthan. In fact, people in the know aren’t surprised with the development as reports of conflicts between Raje and the state BJP president have been in the open with BJP’s central leadership attempting to have a complete control over the state politics ahead of the 2023 assembly polls.

“We want to create awareness about work initiated by ex-Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje ji in public interest. The names of many of these schemes have either been changed or shut down by the Gehlot government. We want BJP to emerge stronger in the 2023 Assembly elections and Vasundhara ji should lead the state again,” said advocate Vijay Bhardwaj, the state president of the Manch.

The ‘Vasundhara Raje Samarthak Manch Rajasthan’ has constituted its state executive committee in 25 districts. The Manch claims to have support of several BJP workers, including MLAs and MPs.

Raje has reasons to get upset with the state party leadership. In 2020, her staunch detractors, BJP MLA Madan Dilawar and Rajsamand MP Diya Kumari, were given a place in the BJP state executive committee and given influential positions as well.

Rajasthan BJP chief Satish Poonia made light of the development. “There is no reason to worry. A lot of things are distributed through social media…nothing much can be seen on the ground though. For us the party and its ideology are above any leader. BJP’s central leadership knows what is happening in Rajasthan. It will take appropriate decision in the matter,” Poonia said.

Of late, there have been cases when Raje’s name was found missing from banners of BJP state events, giving reasons to believe that there is unrest within the party.

Besides, Vasundhara Raje was silent and not in action during the political crisis in Rajasthan after former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot revolted against Gehlot.