Former Rajasthan chief minister Raje turns birthday bash into show of strength ahead of Rajasthan polls
Former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje’s birthday bash at Salasar temple in Churu on Saturday turned out to be a show of political strength, with at least 53 sitting MLAs, 14 MPs and 118 ex-legislators from the BJP attending the celebrations ahead of the assembly election slated for December this year. Since Holi and Raje’s birthday both fall on March 8, the celebrations were held on Saturday, even as the saffron party organised a protest rally against the Congress-led state government here.
Addressing people at Salasar, Raje didn’t miss out on any opportunity to recall her achievements during her two stints as CM. People displayed banners at the gathering and raised slogans such as “Rajasthan Hara Bhara, Fir Ayega Vasundhara (Rajasthan is prosperous and green, Vasundhara will return)”.
Raje started her address by reciting a hymn imploring Lord Hanuman, “Mangal Murti Ram Dulare… Aan Pade Ab Tere Dware”, which received thunderous applause from the audience.
She said, “Rajasthan is our mother and no one can come in the middle of tying the crown of development on its forehead. I am carrying the torch of our ideology as a soldier of the organisation under the guidance of PM Modi ji and our president JP Nadda ji.”
Commenting on the tug-of-war between CM Ashok Gehlot and senior Congress politician Sachin Pilot, she said: “Both of them did not leave any chance to defeat each other. I will not speak on who beat whom, but they definitely have beaten the people of Rajasthan.”
Claiming that Rajasthan was in a state of anarchy, Raje said those who were elected for the safety of the people were busily engaged in protecting the chair (government) all the time.
