The prospect of ministers serving multiple terms being included in Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma’s cabinet this time seems low. Sources suggest that there are indications from Prime Minister Narendra Modi that similar instructions will be conveyed to Chief Ministers in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, all of whom are presently in Delhi. Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to meet with all three Chief Ministers, as the BJP aims for its governments in these states to operate with distinct agendas.
Drawing inspiration from the way Prime Minister Modi introduced new faces in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, it is anticipated that a majority of fresh talents will be given opportunities in the cabinets of these states. This could pose a challenge for legislators who have previously held ministerial positions two or more times. In Rajasthan, MP Diya Kumari, transitioning from a Member of Parliament to a legislator, has been appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister. However, only two legislators who have become MPs can likely be accommodated in the cabinet. Bhajan Lal is expected to assemble his team in the coming week, as there are no hindrances in forming the cabinet with the government already in place.
With an eye on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the BJP’s strategy is to ensure representation from all sections of the cabinet, striving for caste balance across all three states. Currently, in Rajasthan, the Chief Minister is a Brahmin, with one Deputy Chief Minister being a Rajput and the other representing Dalits. Consequently, communities such as Meena, Jat, Gurjar, Adivasi, etc., are anticipated to receive priority in cabinet appoint.