LEADERSHIP STYLES OF KEY POLITICAL FIGURES IN RAJASTHAN: A STUDY OF ASHOK GEHLOT AND VASUNDHARA RAJE

Author Name: 1. Abdullah Qureshi

Volume/Issue: 05/06

Country: India

DOI NO.: 08.2020-25662434 DOI Link: https://doi-ds.org/doilink/11.2024-62976356/UIJIR

Affiliation:

1. Research Scholar, Dept. of Political Science, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.

ABSTRACT

Rajasthan, one of India’s largest states, has been politically shaped by the leadership of various influential figures, among whom Ashok Gehlot and Vasundhara Raje stand as the most prominent contemporary leaders. Both having served as Chief Ministers of Rajasthan, their leadership styles have played a significant role in shaping the state's political culture and development trajectory. This paper explores and compares the leadership approaches of Gehlot and Raje, highlighting their political ideologies, governance strategies, and the impact of their leadership on Rajasthan’s socio-economic and political landscape. Ashok Gehlot, a veteran Congress leader, is known for his inclusive, consensus-driven leadership style. His tenure has focused on ensuring political stability, maintaining internal party unity, and prioritizing social welfare. Gehlot's leadership is marked by a commitment to addressing the needs of marginalized communities, including Dalits, tribals, and women, through policies aimed at social justice and economic equality. His governance emphasizes grassroot-level engagement, agricultural welfare, and inclusive development, reflecting Congress's traditional values of secularism and social welfare. In contrast, Vasundhara Raje, from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is known for her assertive and development-oriented leadership. Raje’s approach is centered around administrative efficiency, economic liberalization, and infrastructural development. Her tenure focused on modernizing Rajasthan’s infrastructure, promoting industrial growth, and attracting private investments through various policies. Raje’s leadership also emphasized cultural pride, leveraging her Rajput identity and promoting Rajasthan's heritage, which aligned with the BJP's ideological focus on cultural nationalism and economic growth. The paper compares Gehlot's and Raje’s leadership in terms of their approach to governance, crisis management, economic policies, and social reforms. While Gehlot’s leadership has emphasized stability and welfare, Raje’s tenure has been marked by efforts to modernize the state's infrastructure and attract investments. This contrast highlights how their respective party ideologies—Congress's emphasis on welfare and BJP's focus on economic development—shaped their leadership styles. The paper concludes that both leaders have had a profound impact on Rajasthan’s political and economic transformation, although through differing approaches, which continue to influence the state's future direction.

Key words: Ashok Gehlot, Vasundhara Raje, Leadership Styles, Rajasthan Politics, Governance.