Vishvraj Singh and Mahendra Singh Mewar of Udaipur royal family.
Although it is common for royal families to participate in Rajasthan Assembly elections, there are some families whose direct involvement in election activities intensifies the discussion. Something similar has happened this time when the Udaipur royal family has come back after almost 25 years and a member of the Mewar dynasty, Vishvaraj Singh, is directly in the election fray. He is contesting elections from Nathdwara on BJP ticket. In front of him, Congress has fielded a strong leader, Legislative Assembly Speaker CP Joshi.
Before this, Vishvaraj Singh Mewar had nothing to do with politics. He lives with his family in Mumbai. I remember visiting Udaipur from time to time. Father Mahendra Singh remained in Mewar politics for a long time. He spent time with both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress.
when the situation cleared up
The political temperature in Udaipur had risen due to Vishvaraj Singh’s entry into politics. People were assuming that he would contest either the Assembly elections or the Lok Sabha elections. People were guessing this from his activism. When BJP announced the tickets and the name of Vishvaraj Singh Mewar appeared in it, all the clouds disappeared and now people are happy imagining his victory.
Victory or defeat is in the hands of the voters but the important thing is that someone from the Mewar royal family is in the fray after a long time. He has amazing energy. Connecting with people. Even today, the people of the area have a different kind of respect for this gharana.
Father Mahendra Singh Mewar got victory only once
Father Mahendra Singh contested Mewar elections thrice but could taste victory only once. In the year 1989, he contested the Lok Sabha elections on the ticket of Bharatiya Janata Party and registered a big victory by 1.90 lakh votes. Later, when relations with senior BJP leader Bhairon Singh Shekhawat soured, he joined Congress.
He contested from Chittor in 1991 but had to face defeat. In the year 1996, he once again contested from Bhilwara, but did not win. After that, Mahendra Singh distanced himself from electoral politics and started serving by getting involved in social and business activities.
Vishvaraj Singh is the son of the same Mahendra Singh. Even today Mahendra Singh is the chairman of many organizations. Deeply connected to the society. Known for working for the welfare of people. Lives in the palace located in Samour Bagh of Udaipur.
Grandfather is VHP president, father and grandfather are MPs, Vishwaraj Singh is not new to politics.
Vishvaraj Singh himself may be new in politics but he understands politics very well. Father was an MP. His maternal grandmother belongs to the Tehri royal family, which is continuously active in politics. Mahendra Singh Mewar was married to Princess Nirupama Kumari of Tehri. Vishvaraj is his son. His maternal grandfather Manvendra Shah has been an MP at least eight times. Other people in the Tehri royal family have also been MPs.
Vishwaraj Singh’s grandfather and the last Maharana of Mewar, Bhagwat Singh, unanimously became the President of Vishwa Hindu Parishad in the year 1969. Meaning, the political environment around him has remained the same since childhood till today. So this is not a new topic for them either. After joining BJP, he had given only one firm statement – I have not come to snatch anyone’s rights. I will do only whatever the party orders for me.
Prolonged property dispute in Udaipur royal family
The last ruler of Mewar dynasty was Maharana Bhagwat Singh. He has two sons Mahendra Singh, Arvind Singh and daughter Yogeshwari. Bhagwat Singh gave all his property to his son Arvind Singh Mewar through a trust and made his daughter a trustee but kept Mahendra Singh away from the property. Then Mahendra Singh filed a case in the court.
This property dispute continued in the court for about 37 years and the decision came three years ago in 2020. The court considered Bhagwat Singh along with all the brothers and sisters as sharers of the property. The properties were given to Mahendra Singh, Arvind Singh and Yogeshwari respectively for four years each.
25 percent of the property was given to Bhagwat Singh. This property dispute did not end here. Arvind Singh Mewar went to the High Court regarding this. After two years the High Court gave its verdict in his favor. In this way, this property dispute still remains unresolved. No one knows when it will be resolved.
It will be interesting to see that if Vishvaraj Singh wins the elections, he will definitely have to stay in Udaipur to give time to the people while reducing his time in Mumbai. In such a situation, it is possible that the family property dispute may take a new turn. Because Vishvaraj Singh’s father and uncle, both are elderly. His cousins Lakshyaraj Singh and Vishwaraj Singh will have to deal with this matter together.
Also read: When father and son of Bharatpur royal family clashed over the statue, read the stories
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