Jaipur: The cabinet expansion of Bhajan Lal Sharma govt continues to be delayed, even as the administration completes 18 months in office. The reshuffle, which was expected around the govt’s first anniversary, did not take place due to changing political equations in the state and pending decisions from the BJP’s central leadership.According to sources, the expansion is linked to the upcoming appointment of the party’s national president and the announcement of BJP state president Madan Rathore’s team, including heads of nine frontal organisations. Adding to the buzz, BJP state president Madan Rathore recently hinted that some ministers may soon be drafted into organisational roles, fuelling fresh speculation about an impending reshuffle. Meanwhile, BJP state in-charge Radha Mohan Das Agarwal clarified that the cabinet reshuffle is the sole prerogative of CM Bhajan Lal Sharma, adding another layer of complexity to the decision-making process. State leaders are pushing for the expansion and appointments before the scheduled urban and rural body polls in Dec 2025 and early next year. They fear that prolonged delays and internal discontent could lead to losses in these polls, which may in turn impact the leadership credibility of both CM Bhajan Lal Sharma and state President Madan Rathore.“The expansion was initially planned soon after the govt’s first anniversary. Performance reports and recommendations were prepared. But it was deferred due to the second state budget in March and the delay in appointing the party’s new national president,” a senior party functionary said. Sources said the expansion aims to address pending caste and regional balances, bring in fresh faces, promote deserving junior ministers, and possibly drop underperformers to rejuvenate the govt’s image ahead of key elections. Currently, six ministerial berths remain vacant out of the 30 sanctioned in the 200-member assembly. The council includes 12 cabinet ministers, nine ministers of state, two deputy chief ministers, and the chief minister. Among those under consideration for promotion are junior ministers Jawahar Singh Bedam, Manju Baghmar, Ota Ram Dewasi, KK Vishnoi, and Vijay Singh. At least two or three of them are likely to be given independent charge. Meanwhile, demands from the Gujjar and Meghwal communities for cabinet representation have added to the party’s balancing act. Both Bedam (Gujjar) and Baghmar (Meghwal) serve as junior ministers. “With the Gujjars upping the ante on reservation and other issues, the party is inclined to promote Bedam to an independent charge,” said a source.There is also pressure to accommodate leaders aligned with senior figures like former CM Vasundhara Raje, former state president Satish Poonia, and former LoP Rajendra Rathore. “As of now, none of the current ministers can be identified as belonging to Raje’s camp,” said a source.“The party needs to take a call on the cabinet reshuffle without further delay to contain its impact on the upcoming urban and rural body polls and to diffuse growing internal rifts. Any further indecision will only help Congress capitalise on our weaknesses,” said a senior BJP leader, requesting anonymity.
Cabinet expansion delayed amid political calculations | Jaipur News
