“And if she contests on a BJP ticket, aspirants like Dr. Jitendra Singh, Vikram Singh Nachna, Renuka Bhati and... Read More

(This story originally appeared in on Aug 28, 2018)

(This story was originally published in The Economic Times on 28/08/2018)

Jaipur: Rajasthan will see yet another erstwhile royalty taking plunge in politics in the assembly elections ahead. Scion of erstwhile Jaisalmer royal family Raseshwari Rajya Lakshmi, wife of Maharawal Brijraj Singh, all set to contest this election. Her popularity in the region has created ripples in both Congress and BJP. She is yet to announce her allegiance to any party. With elections drawing closer, more royalties are likely to throw their hats in the ring.

“Both the parties are open for her. She is a popular face in the region. She has connected well with masses in last few months. She has been participating in social functions,” said Rajendra Singh Khangarot, a political analyst.

However, BJP and Congress leaders are tightlipped over this development. If Rajya Lakshmi contests from Congress, party’s strong contenders Ruparam Dhande, sunita Bhati, Janak Singh Bhati and Sawai Singh Pithla would be out of race.

“And if she contests on a BJP ticket, aspirants like Dr. Jitendra Singh, Vikram Singh Nachna, Renuka Bhati and Jalam Singh will have to sit aside,” said a BJP leader.

Raseshwari Rajya Lakshmi is an erstwhile Sisodiya Rana Princess of Nepal who married got married to Brijraj Singh of Jaisalmer royalty in 1993. She would not be the first one from Jaisalmer royal family to enter politics. In 1957, former Maharaja Raghunath Singh was Member of Parliament while Hukum Singh completed two terms as MLA from 1957-67.

Later, Chandraveer Singh, uncle of current scion Brijraj Singh was elected as MLA in 1980 followed by Dr. Jitendra Singh, who had a truncated term of three years (1990-93).

Since then, no member of Jaisalmer royal family could win an election. “Raseshwari Rajya lakshmi has bright chance to win this election. She is considered commoner among masses. She not only has support from Rajput community but Meghwals and other castes are also backing her,” said a Congress leader.

Rajasthan assembly has been home to erstwhile royalties for long. Some of them see this as a way of protecting whatever remains of their royal legacies; others see it as a way to further their political careers. But the fact is that they are here to stay.

In the current assembly also, there are members of erstwhile royal families, who are well placed. The pack is led by Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje is scion of Dholpur. Then Siddhi Kumari from Bikaner royal family, Krishnendra Kaur Deepa from Deeg royalty, RajkumariDiyaKumari from Jaipur royal family, Rao Rajendra Singh from Shahpura and Gajendra Singh Khimsar from Khimsar principality are there to represent the ‘royal blood’ in democracy.

