New Delhi: In a surprising turn of events, Rajasthan witnesses a political transition as Bhajan Lal Sharma, a first-time MLA, assumes the role of Chief Minister. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) opted for Sharma after denying the ticket to incumbent MLA Ashok Lahoti. This move came after a rigorous selection process and more than a week of deliberations by the state BJP.What is Sharmas Sanganer connectionSharma, hailing from Bharatpur, steps into the political forefront as the representative of the Sanganer constituency in the state capital, Jaipur. Sanganer, considered a BJP stronghold, saw Sharma triumph over his nearest rival from Congress, Pushpendra Bhardwaj, by an impressive margin of 48,000 votes. This victory marked a significant departure from tradition, as it was the first time BJP called upon Sharma to contest from Sanganer.Political journey of Bhajan Lal SharmaBefore his elevation to the position of Rajasthan Chief Minister, Bhajan Lal Sharma played a crucial role as the state secretary of the BJP. Originating from a business background, Sharma brings a unique blend of experience to his new role. However, its worth noting that he carries a criminal case against him, charged under Section 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 149 (part of unlawful assembly) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), as reported by MyNeta.Decoding BJPs political maneuveringThe state BJPs decision to overlook prominent figures like former CM Vasundhara Raje, Union Minister Arjun Meghwal, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw raises eyebrows. These political heavyweights were among the front runners for the Chief Ministerial position. However, the partys gamble on Bhajan Lal Sharma positions him as the Brahmin face of the BJP in the state.A record of political alternationRajasthan, known for its history of alternating governments every five years between BJP and Congress, has experienced a significant shift. The BJP secured a majority, winning 115 seats, relegating Congress to 69 seats. The political landscape, post the December 3 election results, spurred widespread speculation on the Chief Ministerial candidate, with Vasundhara Raje initially leading the discourse.
