CM Pick: Speculations intensify on CM pick in Rajasthan as spotlight shifts to Delhi

JAIPUR: The spotlight on the selection of the chief minister and formation of the government in Rajasthanhas shifted to Delhi, with the state’s key leaders meeting senior national Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders. Former chief minister Vasundhara Raje, state president CP Joshi, and party in-charge Arun Singh are in the national capital as the party looks to end the suspense over state leadership.Joshi and Singh have held closed-door meetings with leaders on the sidelines of the ongoing Parliament session to discuss the formation of the state government.
“Both the leaders are in Delhi, giving final input to the central leaders. They wanted to ensure that before they return to Jaipur, they have discussed a primary draft of the government with the central leaders,” said a party source, adding that the most likely model of government will be two deputy CMs to maintain a caste balance ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in April-May, 2024. The duo is likely to visit Jaipur on Saturday evening to attend the party’s legislature meeting which will be held on Sunday.
Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who is projected among the frontrunners, held a meeting with election in-charge Pralhad Joshi. He has been in Delhi since December 3 for the Parliament session. “Shekhawat will be in Jodhpur on Saturday to attend a central government program. He is likely to be in Jaipur on Sunday to attend the MLAs meeting with the central observers,” said a source. The party’s national general secretary, Sunil Bansal’s name surfaced as one of the front runners, which led him to receive congratulatory calls. The speculations are running high over Tijara MLA Baba Balak Nath, who is also projected among the CM candidates. He met the Rajya Sabha MP Om Mathur in Delhi. The party office says that the meeting was just a courtesy call.