She is smart, young, royal, and a Rajput — all the ingredients needed to be the proverbial ‘face’ of any political outfit in poll-bound Rajasthan. Diya Kumari, the princess of the Jaipur royal family, is not just a sitting MP from Rajsamand, but is also BJP candidate from Jaipur’s Vidhyadhar Nagar seat in upcoming Assembly elections.
Since the early stages of the countdown to elections, she was touted to be Vasundhara Raje Scindia’s replacement – a speculation that is being discussed heatedly on the streets of Jaipur.
Though Raje continues to remain the most influential BJP leader in the desert state, her one-upmanship in the Rajasthan unit often led to a collision course with the party’s top leadership. Differences between then Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje and then BJP president Amit Shah had even delayed the appointment of a new state unit president in 2018.
It is widely perceived that the BJP wants to groom Diya Kumari as the next Raje. The royal had, so far, maintained silence. But for the first time, the London graduate politician broke her silence on the speculation while speaking to News18. In an exclusive interview, Diya Kumari called Vasundhara Raje her “mentor”, stressing at the same time that she is open to any duties the BJP entrusts her with, including being the chief ministerial candidate in the state.
Edited excerpts:
How does it feel to be back in state politics? Are you excited?
Serving the people of my home city Jaipur is a great opportunity. I have been in both state politics as well as at the Centre. I go by the directions given to me by the BJP leadership. I am feeling motivated by the new assignment that has been given to me in the Vidhyadhar Nagar constituency of Jaipur. I stand committed to giving my best output for the same, as I had done earlier in Sawai Madhopur as MLA and in Rajsamand as a Member of Parliament.
Vidhyadhar Nagar falls within Jaipur and you hail from the Jaipur royal family. Will this make a difference?
Serving my home city is both exciting and challenging as expectations would be very high. Diligence is the only way to deal with it as I have done in the last 10 years. My last two elections were in Sawai Madhopur and Rajsamand. My commitment to serving the people of this city stands paramount. Having said that, I do have a lineage; both my father as well as my grandfather and grandmother have made a difference for the city of Jaipur. I intend to do my bit too.
What do you think is the biggest electoral issue in this election?
The biggest electoral issue is the all-round failure of the Congress government in Rajasthan. They have totally failed on all fronts, be it crimes against women, rising prices, deteriorating law and order, leak of question papers, or widespread corruption. I could go on and on.
The fact that the BJP hasn’t announced a CM face for Rajasthan this time has made Ashok Gehlot claim that the saffron party has “accepted defeat”. How would you respond to this?
Who says the BJP does not have a CM face? It is the ‘kamal‘ (lotus) which is the CM face. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had stated in the public rally that the CM face is the symbol of ‘lotus’.
We have seen your presence in a protest by Hindu organisations recently. The BJP has time and again accused the Congress government of indulging in minority appeasement — be it modernisation of Muslim seminaries in 2021 or the horrific Udaipur killing last year. If the BJP comes to power, will all that change?
The killing of Kanhaiyalal ji in Udaipur was a horrific incident. The culprits were caught in my Lok Sabha constituency area. The Congress has been doing selective appeasement for a particular community. This is not fair. We believe in the motto of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas’.
There has been a series of crimes against women in Rajasthan in the last few years. As a woman, what can you promise the women’s electorate?
Rajasthan, I am sorry to state, is No.1 in rapes in the country. Women in Rajasthan are not safe in their homes, offices, agriculture fields, roads, and public places. The numerous horrific crimes against women in the state in the last five years make everyone’s head hang in shame. Even women Congress MLAs are saying that they feel insecure and unsafe. If the BJP comes to power, which it will, women can be rest assured that they will be safe.
Your seat was previously held by Narpat Singh Rajvi, who is also perceived as a Vasundhara Raje loyalist. Did you have a word with him after the BJP announced your name from the seat?
Yes, I spoke with him. Bhairon Singh Ji Shekhawat (Rajvi’s father-in-law) was like a father figure to me. We have a long-standing family relationship. I am convinced of his support. We all follow the decisions taken by the BJP leadership. I am sure that I will get full support and blessings from him.
The buzz across Rajasthan is that the BJP wants to replace Vasundhara Raje Scindia with you – both Rajputs and royal. You have on many occasions smiled at this question and left it answered. Are you ready for that responsibility?
Well, I am going to smile and leave it hanging again. This is mere speculation. I have high regard for Vasundhara ji, who has been my mentor in politics. We are all soldiers of our party and abide by whatever the party decides. Right now, my focus is Vidhyadhar Nagar.
Given a chance by the BJP leadership after the results, will you be ready to accept the Chief Minister’s post?
Currently, I am focusing on winning my seat in Vidhyadhar Nagar. I am a true soldier of the party and will abide by whatever the party decides.
Finally, how many seats do you see the BJP winning in the 200-member Assembly?
We are going to win with a thumping majority because the people of Rajasthan are absolutely sick of the corrupt and inefficient government. Just wait and see, Congress will be completely wiped out from Rajasthan. Victory will be overwhelmingly ours.
