The BJP’s top leadership is deliberately taking their time to assign ministerial portfolios in Rajasthan, aiming to convey a positive message to the public. Speculations suggest that Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma might retain the Home Ministry, while considering assigning the Finance Ministry to a seasoned leader. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore could potentially be entrusted with the department overseeing DPR and information.
He has looked after the work of information and broadcasting at the Centre.
In fact, the effect of the BJP’s experiment in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, may be visible in the Lok Sabha elections. Then similar experiments will be repeated in every state as well. The party first contested polls in these states on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s face. Then surprising names were picked as Chief Ministers. Old and experienced leaders were sidelined. After that, even though there was a delay in the cabinet expansion, a message was given that everybody is bound to follow the instructions from the top. In Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, the leaders who were in the race to become Chief Minister had to be content with the post of ministers.
After the ticket distribution in Rajasthan, half of the contenders were out of the race for the post of CM. After the results, former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje was considered to be the main contender. Anita Bhadel was also in the race because she was a senior leader. Balaknath Yadav was getting his name circulated by his supporters. But the BJP high command picked Bhajan Lal Sharma. The command of the BJP was given to new leadership.
Then new faces were given opportunities as ministers in the cabinet expansion. Anita Bhadel could not even become a minister as she was in speculation.
Balaknath Yadav could not get a chance due to his campaign for the top post. If party sources are to be believed, Balaknath caused a big loss to himself by portraying himself as a popular leader like Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath. In the cabinet expansion on Saturday, the party gave opportunities to those leaders who stayed away from the groups and campaigns.
Now Delhi leadership will decide on the departments for ministers.
Ministries such as Home, Finance, Energy, Health, Education, DPR, Parliamentary and Urban Ministries etc. are considered to be important. Indications are that the Chief Minister may keep the Home Ministry with himself. Finance may go to an experienced senior leader. The rest may go to young faces who have become ministers for the first time. It is expected that portfolios will be announced in the next couple of days.
After this, a bureaucratic reshuffle will happen. Senior IAS officer Sudhanshu Pant has been made the Chief Secretary of the state. A direct message is that the criteria for appointment of other officers will be honesty. Pant is considered a hard-working and an honest officer.
