Three shocks from BJP in three days: First-time MLA Bhajan Lal Sharma named new Rajasthan CM

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has surprised the nation with three surprising announcements in the past three days. Following convincing victories in three states, the saffron party appointed new faces in crucial states of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and now Rajasthan.

This unexpected series began with tribal leader Vishnu Deo Sai being declared Chhattisgarh CM, followed by Mohan Yadav as MP CM, and now, former RSS worker and first-time MLA Bhajan Lal Sharma has been declared as the CM of Rajasthan.

#WATCH | Rajasthan CM-designate Bhajanlal Sharma garlanded after BJP picks him for the CM post, in Jaipur pic.twitter.com/rcwibk9fDd

— ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2023

While speculation centered around figures like Balak Nath, Gajendra Shekhawat, or CP Joshi for the CM position, the party chose to surprise by elevating a newly elected MLA from a safe seat. 

Alongside Sharma, Prem Chandra Bairwa and Diya Kumari will serve as the two deputy CMs of Rajasthan, while former Education Minister Vasudev Devnani will preside as the speaker.

Who is Bhajan Lal Sharma?

• Hailing from Bharatpur, Bhajan Lal Sharma is affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).
• Reportedly, he shares a close relationship with Home Minister Amit Shah and has served as the General Secretary in the party in Rajasthan on four occasions.
• Clearly earmarked by the party, Sharma contested from BJP’s stronghold, Sanganer, where he secured victory with a margin of over 48,000 votes.
• Sharma replaced the incumbent MLA Ashok Lahoti after being nominated by the party.
• In a media briefing, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh mentioned that Sharma’s candidacy was initially proposed by former CM Vasundhara Raje and received support from several other party leaders.
• The announcement of Bhajan Lal’s name was met with jubilation among party workers.
• "Rajasthan ka ek hai lal, Bhajan Lal, Bhajan Lal," chanted BJP workers as his name was revealed.

   

The BJP secured a comfortable victory in Rajasthan on December 3, capturing 115 seats out of 199, while the Congress was reduced to 63. Notably, the BJP had not declared any CM candidate, and the campaign was led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself.