Namta Gupta
Rajasthan Chief Ministerial candidates in contention from the major political parties:
Vasundhra Raje
Vasundhara Raje led Bhartiya Janata Party to a thumping majority in 2003 and is the first ever woman Chief Minister of Rajasthan.
Born on March 8, 1953 in Mumbai, Raje was the daughter of Rajmata Vijayraje Scindia and Jivaji Rao Scindia of Gwalior. On her mother’s behest Raje entered politics in 1984.
Her royal lineage besides her easy demeanour with the masses helped her in climbing political ladder quickly and she was elected to the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly in 1985. Having won four consecutive elections from 1989 onwards, to the Lok Sabha from Jhalawar, Rajasthan she became a known face in this arid land.
Raje also held a variety of posts in the Vajpayee cabinet, notably the portfolio of Minister of State for External Affairs. In 2003 elections she represented the Jhalrapatan seat and her efforts for the emancipation of woman were acknowledged when she was awarded "Women Together Award", in 2007 by the UNO.
Having been a Member of Parliament since 1989, her stint as Chief Minister has been much eventful as she battled a lot of issues ranging from Jaipur blasts in 2008 to Gujjar agitation.
Ashok Gehlot
Ashok Gehlot, the leader of Indian National Congress party, was born on May 3, 1951. The ex- chief minister who adorned the CM chair from December 1998 to December 2003, he is considered Mr. clean in Rajasthan politics. Coming from a humble background; his father being a farmer, Gehlot is a Bachelor of Science. He later did his M.A. in Economics as well.
In 1980, Gehlot was elected as a Member of Parliament for the first time from Jodhpur and also held the post of Union Deputy Minister for Tourism & Civil Aviation in the Cabinet headed by Indira Gandhi in 1982.Then later in 1985, he was appointed as the President of the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee for the first time. His good work was appreciated and he again got elected for the same post in 1994 and 1997.
In 1989, Gehlot became a minister in the Department of Home and PHED in Government of Rajasthan. Later he also held the independent charge of the Textile Ministry in the cabinet of PV Narasimha Rao in 1991.
Ashok Gehlot became the Chief Minister of Rajasthan in 1998 riding on the anti-incumbency factor and beating seasoned politician, former chief minister from BJP, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.
But he was unable to repeat the magic again and in the Assembly elections of 2003 he had to cede defeat at the hands of Vasundhra Raje.
Girija Vyas
Girija Vyas can be best described as a poet within a politician. Having written eight books (three dedicated to poetry), she qualifies for this tag easily. Her connection with Rajasthan goes a long way as after obtaining a Doctorate in Philosophy, Vyas taught at the Mohanlal Sukhadia University of Udaipur and then later at University of Delaware.
As a candidate of Congress, Vyas was elected as an MLA from Udaipur in 1985 and served as a minister in the Rajasthan government till 1990.
Her successful stint continued, and in the year 1991, she was elected to Parliament, representing Udaipur, Rajasthan. Vyas was also appointed as a deputy minister in the Narsimha Rao government.
From 1996-2004 Vyas was a Member of Parliament and also acted as the president, Rajasthan provincial congress committee in 2001-2004. Later, she headed the media department of All India Congress Committee as the chairman, and Indo-EU civil society.
In February 2005, the Congress Party dominated UPA government of Manmohan Singh nominated her to the position of the chairperson of the Fifth National Commission for Women, a Constitutional & Statutory body, a position she currently holds. Her work as NCW president has helped in raising her stature. She has worked actively in bringing forth women issues.
As an MLA in Rajasthan and she is the most recognized face of Congress after Ashok Gehlot.
Om Prakash Mathur
Om Prakash Mathur, the state Bhartiya Janta Party chief, is the second most powerful person besides Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje in Rajasthan.
His competence was recognized by Bhartiya Janata Party when he was in-charge of Gujarat assembly elections, and BJP scored a landslide win.
Mathur’s experience and his ability to organise cadre has helped in his appointment as state chief. With his anointment, party hopes that he would be able to weave the same magic that he did in Gujarat.
Considered an excellent organizer his appointment came as a surprise to those who thought that Raje would never back him for the state chief profile.
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