His government gained momentum with by-election success and PM Modi’s praise, set to culminate in December 17’s grand event.
Jaipur: Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has faced intense scrutiny over his performance during the past year. However, the recent by-election results have emerged as a turning point for him. These victories mark a significant milestone in his political journey, enabling him to outshine seasoned political leaders within the first year of his tenure.
Political experts are beginning to recognize Chief Minister Sharma’s steady political maturation. His government has gained momentum, bolstered by the by-election success and the commendation of the Chief Minister’s work by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Rising Rajasthan event.
Adding to this momentum, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit Rajasthan again on December 17 to participate in an event marking the government’s first anniversary. A grand program has been planned in Dadiya village, Sanganer, where Modi will address a massive gathering and lay the foundation stone for the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project.
The Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) is one of Rajasthan’s most significant initiatives, previously highlighted by the Congress as a major election issue. The project is set to supply water to 13 districts, marking the third major achievement of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma’s first term. This accomplishment is expected to strengthen the BJP’s position in future elections.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s frequent visits to the state indicate a strategic effort by the BJP high command to establish and empower a new leadership team. This shift is likely to impact leaders who were once considered dominant in state politics.
For instance, the future of former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, former minister Rajendra Rathore, and Arun Chaturvedi in Rajasthan politics now appears uncertain. Raje, who is active in central politics, is unlikely to make a return to state-level leadership. Similarly, Rajendra Rathore may face consequences for the party’s underwhelming performance in the Lok Sabha elections.
Senior leaders such as Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union Ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Bhupendra Yadav, and Satish Poonia are expected to continue their roles at the national level.
Meanwhile, the political prospects of second-line leaders within the Sharma government, including Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari, Rajyavardhan Rathore, and Gajendra Singh Khinvsar, will largely depend on their performance. Notably, these leaders were once considered strong contenders for the Chief Minister’s post.
After the formation of the government, the attitude of many ministers towards the Chief Minister was not very positive. However, the Center is reviewing the work of all the ministers, and changes can be expected accordingly in the new year.
After the formation of Bhajan Lal Sharma’s government on December 15 last year, Prime Minister Modi’s full focus was on central politics, with the Lok Sabha elections and then elections in Haryana and Maharashtra.
Even though the BJP missed the majority on its own in the Lok Sabha, after the victory in Haryana and Maharashtra, the Center again became very powerful.
Therefore, now the PM’s focus will also be on the states. There may be more focus on Rajasthan because Sharma became the Chief Minister by dashing the hopes of many veterans. When former CM Vasundhara Raje announced Sharma’s name a year ago, she might not have believed it.
At that time, as the Centre’s observer, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh handed her the slip with Sharma’s name. Sharma, who was sitting at the back with the MLAs, reached the front stage after the announcement and became the state’s chief minister.
While former CM Raje’s supporters were trying to become the CM, there was talk of sending Om Birla, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Arjun Ram Meghwal to Jaipur along with them. Along with them, supporters of Diya Kumari and Rajyavardhan Rathore also had full hopes, but the victory went to first-time MLA Bhajan Lal Sharma.
As soon as Sharma became the CM, his opponents in the state started creating an environment suggesting that Sharma would not be able to complete even one year. After the disappointing performance in the Lok Sabha, it was believed that his removal was certain. At that time, the Center had also become weak, but the victory in Haryana and Maharashtra gave strength to the Center, and Bhajan Lal also gained strength. Bhajan Lal Sharma was more dependent on Delhi in the beginning, but gradually he accepted the challenges and faced them. The by-elections of seven seats in the state were a big challenge for him.
In these, the party snatched four seats from the opposition and increased the number of its MLAs from one to five. After this, he was successful in gathering a large number of investors in Rising Rajasthan. Politically, he came into the eyes of the high command. Due to the arrival of the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project, gradual improvement in law and order, and implementation of the declarations of the manifesto for every section, his first-year tenure is currently considered successful.