Jaipur (Rajasthan): Ending days of speculation, first-time MLA Bhajan Lal Sharma was picked by the BJP as Rajasthan's new chief minister on Tuesday. The 56-year-old legislator from Sanganer was chosen by the BJP MLAs as the leader of the legislature party during a meeting that was held here.
Union Minister Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that Sharma was unanimously chosen as the Rajasthan Chief Minister. Singh also announced that Diya Kumari and Dr. Prem Chand Bhairava will be the two Deputy Chief Ministers of Rajasthan. BJP MLA Vasudev Devnani will be the new Speaker of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly.
"Kirodi Lal Meena, Madan Dilawar and the entire house supported his name and so I announced that Bhajan Lal Sharma will be the BJP Legislature Party leader. I am assured that under Bhajan Lal Sharma's leadership Rajasthan will progress," added Rajnath.
According to Rajnath, a former BJP chief, Bhajan Lal Sharma's name was proposed by former Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Vasundhara Raje Scindia, who was also elected to the Rajasthan Assembly from the Jharlapatan constituency.
Bhajan Lal Sharma was elected from the Sanganer constituency. He polled 1,45, 162 votes and defeated Congress candidate Pushpendra Bharadwaj by 48,081 votes.
Divya Kumari won from the Vidyadhar Nagar constituency. She polled 1,58,516 votes and defeated Congress candidate Sitaram Agarwal by 71,368 votes. Dr Prem Chand Bhairava was elected from the Dudu constituency. He polled 1,16,561 votes and defeated Congress candidate Babulal Nagar by 35,743 votes. Vasudev Devnani won from the Ajmer North constituency and bagged 57,895 votes. He defeated Congress candidate Mahendra Singh Ralawata by 4,644 votes.
In his first remarks after being chosen as Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma said, "...I would like to assure you that all the MLAs of Rajasthan will definitely meet the expectations that the people have with us, with the BJP. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we will ensure holistic development of Rajasthan in all areas."
Rajasthan BJP chief CP Joshi congratulated Bhajan Lal Sharma and said, "This is the victory of (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi's guarantee".
Meanwhile, the swearing-in ceremony will take place on December 15 here.
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