Rajasthan Assembly elections: Royal battle for Sawai Madhopur

JAIPUR: Erstwhile Jaipur royal family scion Diya Kumari will leave no stone unturned as she prepares for her maiden electoral battle from the Sawai Madhopur seat as a BJP candidate in the December 1 Assembly elections.

Kumari (43), who formally joined the BJP during the recent rally of party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, expressed her confidence in wooing voters on the development agenda.

"The area needs improved infrastructure, pollution-free industries and better health facilities," she said, adding that she will work to generate employment opportunities as well as better heath and education facilities.

The step-granddaughter of the late Rajmata Gayatri Devi of Jaipur is pitted against Congress' Danish Abrar and National People's Party (NPP) candidate Kirori Lal Meena in the area dominated by Muslims and the Meena community besides people of Rajputs, Brahmin and other castes.

Though the area has seen the reign of people of the dominant communities, Kumari said she can make a difference.

"Candidates who won from this seat in the past have been ministers but the area still lacks development," Kumari told PTI. "I entered politics with aims, not like other opportunist politicians."

The daughter of former Maharaja of Jaipur late Bhawani Singh, Kumari, who is called 'Maharani' by locals during her campaigns, said she wants to serve the people, like the Rajas and Maharajas.

"People have high regard for royals because Rajas and Maharajas during their rule used to serve people and this is what I wish to do," she said.

However, Congress candidate Danish Abrar, son of former Union minister late Abrar Ahmed, dismisses any challenge from Kumari.

"I do not consider her in the race. I have a long association with people here and I believe that victory will be ours," the 29-year-old candidate said.