Continuing its experiment of bringing about a generational change among its state leadership, the BJP picked Bhajan Lal Sharma, a first-time MLA from the Sanganer assembly constituency, as the chief minister of Rajasthan. He is the first Brahmin to helm the state after four decades. The oath-taking ceremony is scheduled for December 15.
The selection of Sharma, 56, as the new CM did not come as a complete surprise as there were expectations that a lesser known face could be picked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lead the desert state, just as it was done in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
Political analysts said a Brahmin pick as the CM in Rajasthan is likely to help the BJP attract Brahmin voters in neighbouring states like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. UP and Uttarakhand already have Rajput CMs in Yogi Adityanath and Pushkar Singh Dhami. The only two Brahmin CMs in the country are in eastern states – Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal and Himanta Biswa Sarma in Assam but Sharma’s selection is likely to influence Brahmin voters in heartland states.
Meanwhile, Prem Chand Bairwa and Diya Kumari were named as the new Deputy Chief Ministers of Rajasthan. MLA Vasudev Devnani will be the Speaker.
Sharma, soon after his selection as the leader of the BJP legislative party, said, “Under the leadership of PM Modi, we will carry forward the development of the state.”Sharma is also among the longest-serving general secretaries of the BJP in Rajasthan. He was also associated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the BJP’s ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
His selection as the CM also sent a strong message to former CM Vasundhara Raje Scindia, 70, that the BJP is looking to build a team in the state with eyes on the next 25 years and with the aim of moving fast towards becoming a developed country by 2047.
Devnani hails from Ajmer and has previously served as the state Education Minister. Bairwa, who comes from the Dalit community, is the sitting BJP MLA
from the Dudu constituency in Rajasthan. Bairwa won the seat in the 2023 Rajasthan Assembly Election by defeating Congress candidate Babulal Nagar with a margin of 35,743 votes.
Diya Kumari, a Rajput, won from the Vidyadhar Nagar constituency against Congress’ Sitaram Agarwal with a margin of 71,368 votes.
She is the granddaughter of Man Singh II, the last ruling maharaja of the princely state of Jaipur. Her appeal for votes was made as a “daughter of Jaipur” and the “princess who walks on the streets”.
Since joining the BJP in 2013, Diya Kumari has won the two elections she contested. She became an elected member of the Legislative Assembly of Rajasthan from the Sawai Madhopur constituency in 2013. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, she was elected as an MP from Rajsamand.
Earlier, Union Defence Minister and BJP observer for Rajasthan, Rajnath Singh, on Tuesday arrived to attend the legislature party meeting to decide on the name for the new Chief Minister in the state.
Rajnath Singh and other party observers Vinod Tawde and Saroj Pandey were welcomed by former Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Vasundhara Raje and state BJP chief CP Joshi. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister and Rajasthan BJP Election in-charge Pralhad Joshi also arrived to attend the key meeting. Singh said Sharma’s name was proposed by Vasundhara Raje at the legislative party meeting.
In the recent Rajasthan assembly election, the BJP secured 115 seats out of 199, leading to the ousting of the incumbent Ashok Gehlot government, while the Congress won 69 seats.
In 2018, the Congress won 99 seats, while the BJP won 73. Gehlot assumed the CM position with the support of BSP MLAs and independents.
Know new Rajasthan CM
Jaipur: The newly appointed Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Bhajan Lal Sharma, originally hails from the Atari village in Bharatpur, located in the Nadbai tehsil. Although his roots are in Bharatpur, he has been a resident of Jaipur for an extended period and is actively involved in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Currently serving as the State President of the BJP, he boasts of a political career spanning 34 years, commencing in 1990. During this time, he actively participated in the Kashmir March organised by the ABVP, leading a march in Udhampur with nearly 100 activists, resulting in arrests. Subsequently, he played a prominent role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in 1992, leading to his imprisonment. In recognition of his commitment, he was entrusted with the responsibility of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha during that period, a role he ulfilled with enthusiasm. At the age of 27, he became the Sarpanch, holding the position twice consecutively. Additionally, he served as a Panchayat Samiti member. In his journey within the ABVP and BJP, the new Chief Minister assumed various leadership roles. Notably, Bhajan Lal Sharma initially associated himself with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). During this period, he served as the Unit President in Nadbai and later as the Unit Head. Progressing further, he became the District Coordinator in Bharatpur, College Unit Head, and subsequently the District Chief Coordinator. His transition to the BJP through the Youth Morcha marked the beginning of another phase in his political career. In this new chapter, he served as the Mandal Coordinator of Bhajayumo in Nadbai, District Minister, Deputy District Chief, and District Chief. Following three terms as the District Minister, he assumed the role of District Chief in Bharatpur. After years of dedicated service, he earned the position of State Vice President and currently holds the prestigious role of State President of the BJP. Engaged in agriculture and mineral supply, he is a proud father of a doctor. Bhajan Lal Sharma’s primary occupation revolves around agriculture, complemented by involvement in the private business of mineral supply. His father, Kishan Swaroop Sharma, raised him in a family dedicated to these endeavours. Holding a postgraduate degree in political science, Bhajan Lal is happily married to Geeta Sharma, who manages their home. The couple has two sons, with the elder one, Abhishek Sharma, participating in private business alongside his studies. The younger son, Kunal Sharma, has achieved an MBBS degree and currently serves as a doctor. Contesting his first election from Sanganer, he secured a decisive victory. Bhajan Lal Sharma marked the initiation of his electoral journey by contesting from the Sanganer assembly seat. In this debut, he emerged victorious by defeating Congress candidate Pushpendra Bharadwaj with a substantial margin exceeding 48,000 votes. Contesting against Congress candidate Ashok Lahoti in this constituency, Bhajan Lal’s victory was notable, even amid protests organised by the Vaishya community, which considered him an outsider according to the Congress. Despite these challenges, he convincingly defeated the Congress candidate.
