Yashodhara Raje Scindia

Yashodhara Raje Scindia Biography

Yashodhara Raje Scindia is an active politician, MLA and a member of Royal family of Gwalior. She is the youngest daughter of Jivajirao Scindia, last Maratha Maharaja of Gwalior, and the Late Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia. Her siblings, Madhavrao Scindia (died in 2001) and Vasundhara Raje are popular politicians of India. Vasundhara Raje is the current chief minister of Rajasthan and the only female leader from Rajasthan to get this role. Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia (son of Madhavrao Scindia), her nephew is also a youth leader of Indian National Congress. Her other nephew, Dushyant (son of Vasundhara Raje) is currently the Member of Parliament. Currently she is the MLA of Shivpuri constituency in Madhya Pradesh. She was elected from Gwalior constituency to the 15th Lok Sabha.

Yashodhara was born in London on 19 June 1954. Her schooling was completed at several schools - Cathedral and John Connon School in Mumbai, Presentation Convent, Kodaikanal and the Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya, Gwalior. Apart from her elder brother Madhavrao Scindia, all the Royal members were a part of Bharatiya Janatha Party. In 1977, she moved to US after her marriage with Dr. Sidharth Bhansali a cardiologist. She has 3 children. But the marriage resulted in a divorce, similar to her elder sister. She returned to India in 1994 and went into formal politics.

She participated in Madhya Pradesh State Assembly Elections for the first time in 1998 as a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party and won a seat. She was re-elected for the second term of 5 years too. She is an active member of her State Legislative Party. She has served as Cabinet Minister for Tourism, Sports & Youth Welfare for the state of Madhya Pradesh. In 2006, she created a controversy when she asked to officially address her as "Shrimant" which means ‘Your Highness’ or ‘Your majesty’.

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Updated: April 02, 2014