First-time MLA Bhajan Lal Sharma took oath as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan. The oath-taking ceremony, which commenced at 11:15 am, at the Albert Hall, saw the esteemed presence of Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP President J P Nadda.
Sharma, whose election affidavit revealed his education as an MA in political science, previously managed a business. Despite winning his first Assembly election this time, he boasted a political career spanning 34 years. Before joining the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) youth outfit Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, he was associated with the RSS student wing ABVP in various capacities. Hailing from Nadbai in Bharatpur district, he climbed the political ladder from the grassroots level, becoming a sarpanch at the age of 27. Over the years, he held several key positions, including party state vice president and state general secretary. Within party circles, he was recognized as a dedicated and hardworking party worker.
The oath ceremony not only marked Sharma's ascent to the Chief Minister's office but also included the swearing-in of Deputy Chief Ministers Diya Kumari and Prem Chand Bairwa. Governor Kalraj Mishra administered the ceremony.
As part of the preparations for the momentous event, the main roads and entryways of the capital were adorned with decorations. A traffic advisory had been issued, announcing the closure of the entire area from the morning of December 14th until 3 pm on December 15th.
The BJP's choice of Bhajan Lal Sharma as the Chief Minister reflected the party's strategy of bringing forth leaders with a strong grassroots connection. The presence of top leaders such as PM Modi and Amit Shah at the swearing-in ceremony underlined the significance attached to this development in Rajasthan's political landscape.
by Ranu Jain
