Vasundhra Raje And Nirmala Sitaraman In Race For BJP Chief?

Vasundhara Raje and Nirmala Sitharaman have emerged as prominent contenders in the race for leadership within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Amidst a historical backdrop, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) believes that electing a female president for the BJP during its centennial year would send a powerful message to the public at large, and particularly resonate with women across the country. Sources indicate that Vasundhara Raje's name was initially shortlisted for this critical position. There were three separate meetings organized between her and the Prime Minister, reflecting the seriousness of her candidacy. 

However, Raje later clarified that her discussions with the Prime Minister were focused on addressing local issues, specifically advocating for water management in Jhalawar, an area that has since been designated to the Kota region source says. As the discussions evolved, Nirmala Sitharaman's name was included in the shortlist of candidates. Born in Tamil Nadu, she later married in Hyderabad and has been an influential representative of Karnataka in the Rajya Sabha. Her academic journey includes studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University, and she holds the distinction of being the second finance minister to complete a full term after the notable Manmohan Singh. Sitharaman's influence within both the party and the government has significantly grown. 

Notably, during a recent constitutional debate, there were initial plans for party president J.P. Nadda to respond to inquiries; however, Sitharaman was ultimately called upon to initiate the discussion, underscoring her rising prominence. Her opinions and insights now carry considerable weight, and she has become a respected voice within the BJP's corridors of power source says.