The only woman to have headed the government in Rajasthan Vasundhara Raje is an unconventional sight in the political corridors, her flamboyance and impeccable dressing a sharp contrast in a world dominated by bristly males. Also, her chic chiffon attires and carefully accessorised get-up do not seem to come in the way of sitting down with rugged rural folk.Five-time MP and five-time MLA, her latest being her win over Manvendra Singh in Jhalrapatan on Tuesday, Raje joined BJP in 1984. She made a successful poll debut from the Dholpur assembly constituency in 1985. She was elected to the Lok Sabha from Jhalawar in 1989 and represented the seat for five terms. In 2003, she returned to state politics as Rajasthan BJP president and became chief minister and again led the party’s ascent to power in 2013 by winning 163 of the 200 assembly seats.The 65-year-old has always managed to find her way despite her differences with the central BJP leadership as well as RSS. She has also fended off a fair share of controversies. Her first tenure as chief minister from 2003 to 2008 was marred by corruption charges. After BJP’s defeat in the 2008 assembly elections, Raje, in a show of strength, took party MLAs to Delhi as the then party president Rajnath Singh had sought her resignation as opposition leader in the Rajasthan assembly.Her second term as chief minister was also hobbled by controversies and chafing differences with the central party leadership. In June 2015, a major controversy erupted over her role in helping fugitive Lalit Modi, wanted in India for alleged economic offences, to stay put in the UK.However, Raje’s popularity among the masses is believed to be the reason why the BJP leadership gives her a “free-hand” in state affairs. It was also this that boosted her claims to be BJP’s chief ministerial candidate in the current election. In fact, the party is believed to have given in to her demand that it not name Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat as Rajasthan BJP president, but Madan Lal Saini, a staunch Raje loyalist.Born on March 8, 1953, in Mumbai, Raje graduated from Sophia College in Mumbai. Her mother was Vijayaraje Scindia, former BJP leader and a member of the Scindia royal family of Gwalior. She is married into the erstwhile royal family of Dholpur in Rajasthan. Her son, Dushyant Singh, represents Jhalawar-Baran in the Lok Sabha.

Stay updated with all the Latest Jaipur headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.