Three-term MP from Maharashtra's Raver Raksha Khadse likely to be part of Modi 3.0 cabinet

Following her participation in the tea meeting at PM Modi's residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, BJP MP-elect from Maharashtra's Raver, Raksha Khadse expressed her satisfaction with working with Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi.

Raksha Khadse while speaking to ANI said, "It is a matter of pride for me as I have worked as a BJP worker for several years. I hope that I can serve the country in the future. It feels good to get the opportunity to work with Modi ji. He congratulated us and said that we have to work together for the country. We have a vision that is why we have reached till here."

When asked about any portfolio, Khadse evaded the question, saying, "Nothing like that."

"Raksha Khadse achieved significant success in Maharashtra's Raver Lok Sabha seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. She secured a hat-trick of victories by defeating NCP's Sharad Pawar faction candidate, Shriram Patil, by 272,183 votes. 

Despite concerns within the party about dissatisfaction with her during the elections, Raksha Khadse has demonstrated her capability by being elected to the Lok Sabha for the third consecutive time.

Raksha Khadse secured a total of 630,879 votes, while Shriram Patil of the NCP Sharad Pawar faction received 358,696 votes. 

The Raver Lok Sabha seat is situated within the Jalgaon district.Raksha Khadse has served as a BJP MP from this constituency for the past decade. 

Notably, she has achieved a hat-trick of victories in this election. 

Beginning her political journey with Panchayat elections, Raksha Khadse was initially elected as the Sarpanch of her village, Kothli.

Khadse is the daughter-in-law of veteran BJP leader Eknath Khadse, who is now in the Nationalist Congress party (Sharad Pawar faction)Raksha Khadse reached the Parliament for the first time at the age of 26 by defeating NCP's Manish Jain in the 2014 elections.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi secured victory in 30 out of the 48 seats in Maharashtra this time around, marking an increase of 25 seats compared to 2019. 

On the other hand, the NDA's seat count has decreased to 17, experiencing a drop of 24 seats.