The choice of Vashundhara Raje Scindia as the chief minister in the last election is considered as a masterstroke and it seems that Scindia has delivered more than what was expected from her. She had to wade through muddy political path laid down by her own party colleague, the veteran leader and former finance minister, Jaswant Singh.

Jaswant Singh was not comfortable with Scindia’s ever growing popularity and her hold over party affairs. Jaswant Singh filed a case against the chief minister as the news came that temples were built in her name where she was revered as a goddess.

Scindia fought back by slapping a notice to Singh and his friends. Central BJP leadership intervened and a truce between the two was somehow achieved.

Scindia had to also manage "the Gurjar" agitation and the way she balanced Gurjar-Meena conflict has been praised by her harshest critics also. The chief minister started brand building exercise of her state from the day she occupied the office. She was able to attract large investment in her state and the real estate related activities gave the state such necessary push that pushed it out from (Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh) BIMARU states category.

Like Shiela Dixit, Scindia is not obsessed with politics and took administrative decisions based upon economic and social profitability rather than seeking political mileage for every action taken by her government. Her no-nonsense approach signalled other ministers that she meant business and they were forced to mend ways and concentrate on development.

Scindia was also lucky in the sense that she came to office when India started growing rapidly. Investments were pouring in and Rajsthan got its due as well.

The principal opposition party, the congress, failed miserably to corner Scindia on any issue. The absence of Ashok Gehlot, the former chief minister of Rajasthan also affected the morale of Congress workers. Now Congress hopes that anti-incumbency factors work in its favour but this seems very unlikely at this juncture.

It seems that people are now rewarding those politicians whom they consider sincere and see working for the benefit of the entire state. Those leaders who indulge only in petty politicking ignoring the crying needs of the state are out of favour now. If this trend continues and spreads far and wide, India will indeed become a developed country by 2020, as envisioned by former president Dr Abdul Kalam Azad.

Amen!