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The BJP – which is showing new faces for top jobs in the heartland where it claims to have won – seems to have reserved its biggest surprise for Rajasthan. Bhajanlal Sharma, named as the new Chief Minister of Rajasthan, is a former MLA from Sanganer. The MLA, who hails from Bharatpur, was not posted there as the seat was not considered winnable for the upper caste.
The new Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Vishnu Deo Sai was the leader of the BJP of the state, a Union Minister of the State, and a member of the working committee of the BJP. The man to replace Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Mohan Yadav, is a three-time MP and former state minister.
Mr Sharma will have two deputies – “People’s President” Diya Kumari, who was the candidate for the highest position – and senior leader Prem Chand Bairwa.
One of the longest-serving members of the party in Rajasthan, Mr Sharma could not be more different from Vasundhara Raje, who led the state on behalf of the party for three terms.
The 56-year-old, who was previously associated with the ABVP, the student body of the radical Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh party, has always kept a low profile.
A state general secretary of the party, he is seen as an organizational figure, unlike Ms Raje, who was often seen at odds with the top leadership.
Choosing a Brahmin face is seen as a safe choice in Rajasthan, where Rajputs and Jats are the leading castes. But electing a candidate from any community could lead to disaster next year – a situation the BJP cannot afford. Vasundhara Raje was accepted by both communities because he, a former king, was a Rajput who married into a Jat family.
The BJP is planning to divide the caste and the number of classes in a big way in the heartland of the states in the future of the general elections next year.
Despite this, there was speculation that Ms Raje, the party’s most senior leader in the state, would occupy the seat. The pattern is similar to Madhya Pradesh, where former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Chhattisgarh former Chief Minister Raman Singh were recruited.
Like Shivraj Chauhan in Madhya Pradesh yesterday, it was Ms Raje who gave the name of the new Chief Minister at the party meeting this afternoon. It was supported by state leaders Kirori Meena, Madan Dilawar and Jawar Singh.
Showing unity is only for senior leaders. Yesterday, the former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh was popular on social media, with many speculations on what will be next for him.