BJP's Surprise: Bhajanlal Sharma Rajasthan CM, Diya Kumari, Prem Chand as Deputies

Jaipur: In a strategic move, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has sprung its third surprise in the Hindi heartland states, revealing the selection of first-time MLA Bhajanlal Sharma for the coveted chief ministerial position in Rajasthan. Adding to the intrigue, the party announced that Diya Kumari, a prominent figure and scion of the erstwhile Jaipur royal family, along with scheduled caste leader Prem Chand Bairwa, would assume the roles of deputy chief ministers in the state.

Diya Kumari, an MP from Rajsamand and a key contender for the chief minister's post, successfully transitioned from national politics to state-level governance by securing victory in the Vidhyadhar Nagar constituency during the recent Assembly polls. Hailing from the lineage of Man Singh II, the last ruling maharaja of Jaipur, Diya Kumari's unique appeal as the "daughter of Jaipur" and the "princess who walks on the streets" has resonated with the people of Rajasthan, blending regal heritage with a down-to-earth persona.

Since joining the BJP in 2013, Diya Kumari has maintained an impressive electoral record, winning three consecutive elections. Her victories include becoming an MLA from Sawai Madhopur in 2013 and achieving a significant margin in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls from Rajsamand. Now, with her triumph in the 2023 Assembly polls, Diya Kumari continues to solidify her political presence in Rajasthan.

Throughout her campaign, the 52-year-old leader emphasized crucial issues such as environmental conservation, education, healthcare, and women's empowerment. Notably, she served as a member of the National Tiger Conservation Authority in 2019, showcasing her commitment to environmental causes.

Meanwhile, Prem Chand Bairwa, an MLA from the Dudu Assembly seat near Jaipur, emerged victorious in the November 25 election with a substantial margin of over 35,000 votes against Babulal Nagar of the Congress. The BJP's decision to include Bairwa as one of the deputy chief ministers is perceived as a strategic move to balance caste equations, appointing a Brahmin face as the chief minister and Rajput and scheduled caste leaders as the deputy chief ministers. This move is seen as an attempt to woo the Bairwa community, which traditionally leaned towards the Congress, in anticipation of the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

In a series of surprising decisions, the BJP has demonstrated a knack for strategic political maneuvering. In Madhya Pradesh, the party opted for former cabinet minister Mohan Yadav over the longest-serving chief minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Similarly, in Chhattisgarh, tribal leader Vishnu Deo Sai was chosen over the three-term chief minister Raman Singh, aligning with Prime Minister Modi's preference for a tribal leader and gaining favor from the party's ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.