Call it a coincidence but post the passage of woman reservation Bill, in last three rallies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the woman member of BJP who got the maximum prominence was – member of parliament from Rajsamand Diya Kumari.
While erstwhile member of Dholpur and Gwalior royal family Vasundhara Raje's losing grip in the party was quite evident in these three rallies, Diya Kumari's gaining ground in the party was also conspicuous.
In the first rally at Jaipur, Diya Kumar was given the responsibility of stage management and announcements, which she did with aplomb. This was the first occasion when Diya Kumari was given such a mileage.
On the second occasion in Chittorgarh she was given seat in the front row. It has also become a talking point for political observers. For a two-time MP, positioning does matter.
On the third time in yesterday's rally in Jodhpur, again Diya Kumari's participation caught everyone's eyes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off country's sixth and the first heritage train of Rajasthan from Marwar junction while Diya Kumari sent it back from its destination Kamlighat before travelling from Marwar junction to Kamli Ghat along with passengers.
Also Read: PM Modi flags off Vistadome heritage train from Marwar Junction
“It's too early to predict the future of the ‘Princess' and it won't be appropriate to say that she can replace ‘Maharani'. But the central leadership has some task cut out for Diya Kumari. She may gradually be groomed for bigger role,” said Rakesh Asthana, a political commentator.
The political career of Vasundhara Raje and Diya Kumari can't be compared except one common thread that they both belong to royal families. Raje became chief minsiter of Rajasthan after being five term member of parliament and completing a full one term of MLA from Dholpur.
“She won on BJP ticket when there was no Modi wave or any wider base for BJP. She turned table on her own. But for Diya Kumari victory was easier riding on Modi's popularity. She didn't have to slug it out in both her elections. But Yes, she is a good future prospect for BJP,” said Ravindra Tyagi, another political observer.
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