Sarpanch To MP, How Single Mom Raksha Khadse Aced Her Political Path

Life can be cruel. It throws setback after setback until we reach the verge of giving up. At that edge, we need to stop and remind ourselves that life hasn't ended yet. Raksha Khadse's resilient story reminds us of this - a single mother who is now the minister of Maharashtra state. 

In 2013, Raksha Khadse lost her husband, Nikhil Khadse, when her son was two and a half years old and her daughter four years old. While the setback was huge, the comeback was even stronger for her later. She was now a single mother responsible for two children. "My life was full of pain," Raksha told a media portal. 

Raksha Khadse's political journey

With resilience and strength to fight against grief, Raksha began her political journey. The start was so strong that it paved the way for her current success. She is BJP's three-time MP from Raver constituency who was sworn in as the minister of Maharashtra on Sunday.

Raksha started as a sarpanch of her village Kothadi. Then, she shifted to Jalgaon Zila Parishad as its member. Her local political success influenced people so much that she entered the election for MP in 2014 when she was just 26 years old. Considering Raksha's strength, it wasn't surprising that she got elected as MP three times. Since then there has been no looking back.

Raksha said, “Taking oath as a minister is a big thing for me if I look back at the condition in which I started my journey. My husband died when my son was only two and a half years old and my daughter was four years old. My personal life was full of pain, but the support and love of the people helped me forget these sorrows.” 

The uniqueness of Raksha as a politician was her love for work which was selfless and dedicated. She worked because she loved her work not because she wanted to reach a particular post. 

Speaking to media, Raksha said, “I never worked for any post and position. Today I am really happy that PM Narendra Modi honoured me by giving a ministerial position."

Support from father-in-law

Raksha Khadse's success had the support of her father-in-law, Eknath Khadse too who is an NCP leader of the Sharad Pawar faction on the verge of shifting to the BJP alliance. Raksha Khadse said, “Rather than fielding his daughters, my father-in-law gave me the opportunity to contest Lok Sabha elections and always supported me.”

While Eknath Khadse appreciated Raksha's success and called her an asset for the development of Maharastra. He said, “My daughter-in-law becoming a union minister is the most joyful moment in my life. I am confident that Raksha’s contribution will be big for the development of our region and Maharashtra. This is a very emotional moment for me.”

An inspiring woman- Raksha Khadse

Holding the two children in her arms, being their sole caretaker and provider and a successful politician responsible for the betterment of the region- Raksha's photo went viral. Does this remind you something? Exactly! A single mother, a queen, a fighter and a rebel who tied her child around her back and fought on the battlefield- Rani Lakshmi Bai. Maybe the comparison is too far-fetched. However, Raksha's journey has been nothing less than a woman who can inspire a generation.