BJP MLAs keep meeting Vasundhara Raje at home as suspense continues over Rajasthan CM

JAIPUR: Even as suspense and speculation continue over BJP’s choice of the chief minister of Rajasthan, more than 10 MLAs met former CM Vasundhara Raje at her residence at Civil Lines in Jaipur on Sunday.
The newly elected BJP legislators started visiting Raje’s residence since the morning ostensibly to thank her for the support she extended to them during the polls.While these visits were described by BJP leaders as a continuation of the visits by the MLAs on December 4, 5, and 6, some dubbed the exercise as a show of strength by Raje.
“Raje held 54 election rallies in support of her close aides and for those who had requested her to hold a public address. They are coming to her to thank her. Reading anything else is over-interpretation,” said a close aide of the former CM. Raje’s team refused to officially comment on her meetings with the MLAs. Among the party’s legislators who met her on Sunday were Ajay Singh Kilak and Babu Singh Rathore. Kilak had met her on Tuesday as well.
Raje was in Delhi for four days (from Wednesday to Saturday) and met senior leaders, including BJP national president JP Nadda, and reportedly pitched her case for the CM’s post.
BJP is likely to hold its legislature party meeting in Jaipur on Tuesday to elect the CM candidate. Many MLAs of the party, including Kanwarlal Meena, have extended their open support for Raje as the CM.
“The three central observers of the party, including Union minister Rajnath Singh, are likely to visit Jaipur on Monday evening,” said a BJP source.