Vasundhara Raje’s meeting with Amit Shah to mend ties

Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje met BJP president Amit Shah amid speculation that the latter was miffed with her for her government’s recent decision to demolish encroachment inside the famous Rajmahal palace in Jaipur.

Though the issue, which saw massive public protest and support for the erstwhile royal family, was later resolved, Ms Raje had been trying to seek an appointment with Mr Shah to explain her government’s side ever since.

Mr Shah, sources said, had been miffed with Ms Raje as feedback suggested that the incident had dented the ruling BJP’s image and given strength to rumours that the CM does not share good rapport with the erstwhile royal family, which enjoys a huge public support in the state. The meeting between Ms Raje and Mr Shah also took place at a time when the state government is likely to witness a cabinet reshuffle and the state BJP is awaiting the announcement of new office-bearers.

It could be recalled that the erstwhile royal family, including Diya Kumari who is a BJP MLA, had raised objections after the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) officials sealed off the gates of her family-owned Rajmahal Palace hotel and demolished a part of the servant quarters on the property, during an anti-encroachment drive in August.

Sources disclosed Ms Raje was in Delhi last month also for four days to seek an appointment with the BJP president on the issue. She had also tried to meet Mr Shah during the recently concluded national council meet of the BJP in Kozhikode but in vain.