For months after Bhajan Lal Sharma’s unexpected elevation as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan in 2023, former CM Vasundhara Raje had chosen to remain in the shadows.
Her silence was interpreted in many ways — some believed she had been deliberately sidelined by the party high command, while others argued that Raje, a seasoned politician with decades of experience, had strategically stepped back to bide her time.
Today, with her renewed outreach to BJP and RSS heavyweights, speculation is rife that Vasundhara Raje is preparing for a political re-entry.
A Calculated Silence
When the BJP top brass surprised many by choosing Bhajan Lal Sharma, a first-time MLA, as CM over Raje — a two-time Chief Minister and one of the tallest leaders in Rajasthan — it was seen as a snub. Raje, who had expected to reclaim the CM’s chair, distanced herself from party activities.
She skipped BJP meetings, did not campaign in the seven Assembly bypolls, and even stayed away from the Haryana polls despite being officially listed as a star campaigner. Her absence was noticed, but her silence spoke volumes.
Observers noted that Raje never had an easy relationship with the Modi-Shah leadership. With the central command favoring loyalists who strictly adhered to Delhi’s directions, Raje’s independent stature and mass base in Rajasthan often became points of friction.
Many wondered if this was the end of the road for her in state politics.
Signs of Re-Emergence
But Raje has never been a leader to retreat without a strategy. Over the past few months, she has gradually resurfaced in political circles. She has met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi, signaling that she is once again engaging with the power corridors at the center.
Most significantly, Raje recently held a 30-minute meeting with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat during his Jodhpur visit for the Sangh’s All India Coordination meeting.
Sources later confirmed that she followed it up with meetings in Nagpur with top RSS functionaries — a clear sign that she is rebuilding bridges with the ideological backbone of the BJP.
The Cabinet Reshuffle Factor
With a reshuffle of the Rajasthan Cabinet on the horizon, Raje’s activities are being viewed as attempts to secure ministerial berths for her loyalists.
Names like Malviya Nagar MLA Kalicharan Saraf and Nimbahera legislator Shrichand Kriplani are doing the rounds.
Party insiders suggest that her re-engagement with the BJP leadership is less about reclaiming the CM’s post and more about ensuring her camp retains influence in governance.
However, other voices within the BJP maintain that Sharma, being the central leadership’s choice, will continue to hold the CM’s chair.
They argue that while Raje may not return to state leadership, she could be offered a national role, keeping her stature intact within the party.
Raje’s Message of “Vanvaas”
Adding to the intrigue was her cryptic message in Dholpur on August 30. “Vanvaas sirf Shri Ram ki zindagi ka hissa nahin hai… Har insaan ke jeevan mein vanvaas aata hai aur jata bhi hai. Jo aata hai woh jata hai (Exile was not part of only Lord Ram’s life. Everyone goes through it, but it also ends.
Whatever comes will also go,” she said.
Many interpreted this as reassurance to her supporters that her political “exile” was nearing an end, while others saw it as a subtle reminder of her resilience and ability to stage comebacks in the volatile world of politics.
What Next for Vasundhara Raje?
Raje’s name briefly surfaced in Delhi circles when Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned as Vice-President earlier this year, but the post eventually went to C. P. Radhakrishnan.
Now, with the BJP yet to finalize its next national president, whispers suggest she may try to position herself for that role.
Alternatively, insiders hint at her lobbying for a Union Cabinet berth for her son, Dushyant Singh, who is an MP from Jhalawar-Baran.
Whether sidelined or self-withdrawn, one thing is clear: Vasundhara Raje has not faded away from the political stage.
She is watching, calculating, and possibly preparing for the right moment to make her move. In politics, timing is everything — and Raje, with her experience and loyal cadre base, knows this better than most.
#VasundharaRaje #RajasthanPolitics #BJP #RSS #PoliticalComeback #BhajanLalSharma #RajeVsDelhi #VanvaasToComeback #IndianPolitics #DushyantSingh
