Raje clarifies her 'mine is gone' statement amid speculations on political implications

Kota/Bikaner: Former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje on Saturday clarified her recent "mine is gone, I could not save it" remark, alleging that "conspirators" had twisted her statement by taking it out of context.

During a public meeting in Jhalawar on Friday, when some attendees approached Raje for assistance, she said, "Bhaiya mera hi chala gaya. Main apna nahi bacha saki aur tum keh rahe ho ki.... (I lost mine. I could not save my own situation.) Her comment triggered speculation over possible political implications.

Raje was seen as a frontrunner for a third term as Chief Minister after the BJP returned to power in Rajasthan in December 2023; however, the party appointed first-time MLA Bhajanlal Sharma as the new chief minister. Her statement was perceived as a disappointment regarding this outcome.

However, Raje clarified that her remarks had no connection to any political position.

Speaking to the media in Baran, she explained that her comment, made during a small public gathering, was "completely taken out of context" and emphasised that the issue was related to a four-lane highway project.

She recounted that some people approached her expressing concerns that the proposed highway would pass through their land and requested a change in its alignment.

"I was trying to tell them that in Dholpur, a highway passed in front of my house, and I, too, had to move my boundary wall back. My land was also affected. So I told them that 'when I could not stop it for my own house, how could I help you?' " she said.

Raje further alleged that certain "well-wishers" had sent individuals to monitor her statements and take lines out of context to create distorted meanings.

"These are conspirators. They have done this before and continue to do so, but they have not succeeded over the years," she asserted, adding that she issued the clarification to prevent any misunderstandings.

She also emphasised that her interaction with the public contained no mention of any political position.

In response to the controversy, Rajasthan BJP President Madan Rathore said that Raje's work was ongoing.

"Such things (suggesting her work is not being done) have never been said. All of her work is being carried out. I spoke to her just a few minutes ago," Rathore told reporters in Bikaner.

When asked if her remark referred to the chief minister's position, Rathore vaguely suggested that no single individual needs to be the chief minister every time.