The electoral constituency of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Sanganer, is an assembly seat where almost every legislator, excluding only Ashok Lahoti, has adorned the ministerial position at some point. After Vidya Pathak, Indira Mayaram, and Ghanshyam Tiwari, Bhajan Lal Sharma has now elevated this trajectory even further by becoming the Chief Minister. While this seat is known as the stronghold of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), it has been won twice by Congress’s Indira Mayaram. She also became a minister in the Ashok Gehlot government. Apart from that, she was also the president of the Pradesh Mahila Congress.
Since its establishment in 1977, elections have been held 11 times in the Sanganer assembly seat. Out of these, BJP has won 7 elections, Congress 2, and Janata Party won once. Vidya Pathak, who won from this seat most frequently, holds the record of winning in four consecutive elections in 1977, 1980, 1985, and 1990. Ghanshyam Tiwari of BJP also won three consecutive elections in 2003, 2008, and 2013. Congress’s Indira Mayaram won twice in 1993 and 1998. Jaipur’s Mayor Ashok Lahoti won from here in 2018, and in 2023, Bhajan Lal Sharma of BJP won the elections.
The most significant identity of the town of Sanganer is its handmade paper. Few people may know that the paper used in the making of speakers in the country is supplied by Sanganer. The quality of the paper here is excellent. Therefore, all companies source paper from Sanganer, used in various items such as sweet boxes to packaging materials. Whenever you pass through this town, you will find handmade paper drying in several places.
The second significant identity of this town is its printing and dyeing industry, known as Sanganeri print. The identification of Sanganer print is the printing done using wooden blocks. Initially done with natural colours, screen printing has taken over now. Only skilled artisans work with natural colours. Printing with natural colours and wooden blocks is an expensive process. In the pursuit of substantial earnings, traders have started giving preference to synthetic colours and screen printing. It is cheaper and, consequently, more saleable. Sanganeri print is done on a white background or off-white background. The history of Sanganeri print is around 500 years old. The art of printing began in the 16th and 17th centuries. By the 18th century, Sanganeri print had gained popularity across India.
The international airport of Jaipur is in this town. It was initially called Sanganer Airport. This is the only international airport in the state, although it is also referred to as Jaipur Airport. This airport, located south of Jaipur, is crucial from a military perspective as well. Initially, there was barren land around the airport, but now it is surrounded by settlements.
Sanga, the son of Amer’s ruler Prithviraj, founded this town. The town got its name from him, Sanganer. Ancient Jain temples are a distinctive feature of this town. The temple of Sanga Baba is highly revered here. Apart from him, the old city has many artistic legacies that need attention.
Water pollution remains a significant problem
While Sanganer print has given this town international recognition, this industry has also turned the groundwater here into poison. Since screen printing has taken root here and the dyeing of clothes with synthetic chemicals has started, the water here has become contaminated.
Therefore, the issue of drinking water has become severe. The government has made it mandatory for printing units to install treatment plants, but even this has not provided a solution to the problem.