Rajasthan new CM LIVE | Bhajan Lal Sharma, first-time MLA, to be next Chief Minister

After a week of suspense since the Rajasthan Assembly election results were declared, BJP announced Bhajan Lal Sharma's name as the new CM of the state.

According to our sources, Vasundhara Raje is out of the CM race. BJP will be carrying out the recent tradition of announcing new names for the CM post like it did for MP and Chhattisgarh after the recently-concluded Legislative Assembly election results.

Any time from now, there will be an important announcement. Senior leaders like Rajnath Singh and CP Joshi are present at the meeting. The suspense over the Rajasthan top post will end soon.

The party has started a change in leadership dynamics, signalling a generational shift in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. Whether Rajasthan follows suit will be decided this evening when the BJP Legislature Party meets to elect the state's new chief minister.
 

Rajasthan: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to select the Rajasthan Chief Minister today. The party's Legislature party meeting is scheduled to be held this evening in Jaipur.

Rajasthan: BJP central observers for Rajasthan, Rajnath Singh, Vinod Tawde and Saroj Pandya along with Union Minister Pralhad Joshi arrive in Jaipur.

They were received by former Rajasthan CM and BJP leader Vasundhara Raje.

Rajasthan: BJP MP Kirodi Lal Meena said that the people should be ready for a surprise. "The analysis of people turned out wrong in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. Three observers are coming today, they are experienced national leaders. Whatever honourable PM Modi has told to observer and after a one-to-one discussion, the candidate for Chief Minister will be designated. We should be ready for the surprise," said Kirodi Lal Meena.

Jaipur: Ahead of the Congress legislative party meeting scheduled today, Rajasthan BJP Chief C P Joshi said that he is not in the race to become Chief Minister of Rajasthan. "The Legislature Party meeting will happen today. The Observers will reach today...Everything will be clear by 5 pm today...I am not in this race (to become the CM)," said Rajasthan BJP Chief C P Joshi. 

New Delhi: While reacting to BJP's Chief Minister appointments in MP, Chhattisgarh, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said "...The basic issue is caste-based census and who is getting people's money? They do not want to discuss this issue, they run away from this. We will take this issue forward and make sure that the poor get what they deserve...Even our CM in Chhattisgarh was from the OBC, they too announced an OBC CM, but the question is what percentage of them are in the structure? PM Modi is from the OBC category but the Govt is run by 90 people and only 3 out of them are from OBC and their offices are in a corner. My question is about the participation of OBCs, Dalits and tribals in the institutional system. They talk about Jawaharlal Nehru and others to distract us from this issue..."

In addition to CP Joshi, Diya Kumari, and Kirori Meena, the BJP's front-runner for the chief minister position for Rajasthan is now Ajmer South MLA Anita Bhadel. Since 2003, Bhadel has consistently won the Ajmer South seat. 
 

Jaipur: Observers appointed for the legislative party meeting, according to BJP MLA Jogeshwar Garg, would arrive in Jaipur today and undertake one-on-one meetings with MLAs. A formal gathering will be convened at 4 p.m. to elect the legislative party leader or CM-designate. The BJP has designated Rajnath Singh, Saroj Pandey, and Vinod Tawde as observers. Rajnath Singh left for Rajasthan's Jaipur at 12 PM.
 

Rajasthan new CM announcement LIVE: Union Minister Rajnath Singh leaves for Jaipur, Rajasthan amid speculations over CM face. Observers appointed for the legislative party meeting, according to BJP MLA Jogeshwar Garg, would arrive in Jaipur today and undertake one-on-one meetings with MLAs. A formal gathering will be convened at 4 p.m. to elect the legislative party leader or CM-designate. The BJP has designated Rajnath Singh, Saroj Pandey, and Vinod Tawde as observers.
 

Jaipur: Raje, Balaknath or a new face? Who will be the CM of Rajasthan? After Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, all eyes are on Rajasthan as BJP is all set to announce the chief ministerial face today. Follow Republic's coverage for blazing fast and accurate updates.

Jaipur: BJP leader Rajendra Rathore says, “Politics is a game of possibilities. Our MLAs will decide today at 4:30pm who will be the CM…It is a historic day for Rajasthan…”

Rajasthan CM announcement LIVE: While reacting to the speculation across the political circles, Rajasthan BJP chief CP Joshi said, “…The Legislature Party meet will happen today. The Observers will reach today…Everything will be clear by 5pm today…I am not in this race (to become the CM).”

Rajasthan new CM announcement LIVE: Supporters of Vasundhara Raje, a prominent contender for the Rajasthan CM post, gathered at her residence for a meeting. Among those present were various party MLAs and leaders, including Devi Singh Bhati, MLA Anshuman Singh Bhati, and his grandson. The meeting happened amid speculations on CM face heated up in the state. 

For more than a week, media congregated at Vasundhara Raje's official residence in Jaipur, anticipating developments. The surprise selection of Mohan Yadav as Madhya Pradesh CM by the BJP created waves, particularly impacting the atmosphere at Raje's bungalow.

This delay post BJP's resounding 115-seat victory in Rajasthan is unprecedented, especially considering Raje's influential stature since her 2003 and 2013 CM tenures. However, the BJP, avoiding a CM face this time, reflected Raje's apparent detachment from the campaign led by the central leadership.

Raje's visit to the Jaipur party headquarters after the December 3 win hinted at anticipation, but the BJP's substantial victory seemed to lessen any obligation to accommodate her aspirations.

Yadav's unexpected appointment, following Vishnu Deo Sai's pick for Chhattisgarh CM, likely resonated with Raje, observed closely by TV cameras capturing arrivals and departures of BJP members and Raje's supporters. Speculation on Raje's potential return as Rajasthan CM for a third term remains unanswered.

1. Vasundhara Raje: The trailblazer as Rajasthan's first female CM, Raje boasts a political lineage tied to BJP's roots through her family's legacy.

2. Baba Balaknath: Dubbed as the 'Yogi of Rajasthan,' Balaknath is a strong contender for the top role, known for his Alwar MP win and controversial remarks.

3. Diya Kumari: Hailing from Jaipur's royal lineage, Kumari, a BJP member since 2013, has secured three consecutive election victories.

4. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: Notorious for clashes with ex-CM Ashok Gehlot, Shekhawat's political prowess was further cemented by defeating Gehlot's son in 2019.

5. Kirodi Mal Meena: Revered as "Doctor Sahab" or "Baba," Meena holds significance in BJP's outreach efforts toward the Meena community.

While BJP clinched victories in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, the Chief Ministerial candidate for Rajasthan is yet to be unveiled, leaving political circles on edge as the anticipation for leadership in the state intensifies.