The BJP's key player in Rajasthan's election battle
VASUNDHARA RAJE:
Born on 18 March 1953, Vasundhara Raje is the fourth child of the late ruler of Gwalior, His Highness Jivaji Rao Scindia, and his wife, the late Rajmata Vijaya Raje.
Raje was not only elected twice as chief minister of Rajasthan, but she was also the state's first female chief minister.
Her political career began in 1984, when Vasundhara Raje became a member of the newly created Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP), and then rose through the ranks.
She was first elected to the Lok Sabha from Jhalawar in Rajasthan in 1989. Raje was elected to the Lok Sabha four times in a row, in 1991, 1996, 1998, and 1999, all from Rajasthan.
She worked with a special emphasis on women's empowerment, that was recognised on a global scale when the United Nations bestowed the "Women Together Award" on her in 2007.
Vasundhara Raje enjoys reading and has a large and diverse collection. Hilary Mantel, who became the first woman and the first British writer to win the Man Booker Prize twice, is one of her favourite authors.
Vasundhara Raje adores her pet dogs and treats them like family. Apart from dogs, Raje is fond of horses. She is also a wildlife enthusiast.
Vasundhara Raje admires all forms of art and artists. Her favourite artist is Udaipur's famed painter P N Choyal.
Vasundhara Raje led impactful initiatives, like Bhamashah Yojana empowering women with bank accounts and smart cards. She also introduced Annapurna Rasoi for subsidised meals in 2018.