New Delhi (Agency): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced the formation of two crucial election committees for the Congress-ruled state of Rajasthan on Thursday. The committees have been set up to prepare for the year-end assembly elections in the state. Surprisingly, former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has not been included in either of the committees, sparking interest and speculation.
The first of the two committees, a 21-member election management committee, is headed by former MP Narayan Panchariya. The second, called the Pradesh Sankalp Patra (manifesto) committee, is led by Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. It has been indicated that the party will announce a third committee, an election campaign committee, in the coming weeks.
When asked about Raje’s absence from the poll panels, BJP state in-charge Arun Singh stated that she would still play a significant role in the election campaign. “She is the national vice president of the party. She has a big role to play. She has been the chief minister of the state twice. She will campaign in the election. We all respect her,” he said to reporters.
The election committees were formed under the direction of the BJP’s national president, J.P. Nadda. The announcement was made by BJP state president C.P. Joshi and Arun Singh at the party office in Jaipur.
Union Minister Meghwal will also serve as the convenor of the party’s ‘Pradesh Sankalp Patra Samiti.’ The 25-member manifesto committee includes Rajya Sabha members Ghanshyam Tiwari and Kirori Lal Meena, national secretary Alka Singh Gurjar, former Assembly deputy speaker Rao Rajendra Singh, and other significant party figures.
The election management committee, apart from being headed by Narayan Panchariya, consists of former state general secretary Onkar Singh Lakhawat, national spokesperson and MP Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, state general secretaries Bhajan Lal and Damodar Agarwal, among others.
BJP’s state election in-charge and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi expressed confidence in the party’s strategy for the polls. “Our strategy is ready. I have full confidence that people will give the mandate to the BJP, and we will get a historic victory,” he declared.
The exclusion of Vasundhara Raje, a prominent figure in Rajasthan politics and a former chief minister, has drawn attention. Raje has been an influential leader within the BJP, and her absence from the election committees may lead to discussions and interpretations within political circles.
The formation of these committees marks a significant step in the BJP’s preparations for the Rajasthan assembly elections, where the party aims to challenge the incumbent Congress government. With key leaders taking charge of different aspects of the election campaign, the BJP appears to be gearing up for an intense electoral battle in the state.
While the party has shown confidence in its strategy and leadership, the notable absence of Vasundhara Raje from the committees will likely remain a point of interest and debate as the election draws nearer. Her role in the upcoming campaign, although confirmed by party officials, will be closely watched by political analysts and observers.