Rajasthan CM Oath Ceremony Updates: PM's message for Bhajan Lal's ‘new journey’

Earlier this week, a group photo taken at the BJP office showed Bhajan Lal Sharma in the last row. However, shortly afterward, he moved to the front and center stage after being chosen as the leader of the Rajasthan legislature party during the BJP's announcement.

On Friday, the 56-year-old Sharma was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, marking a significant milestone in his political career that began three decades ago as the sarpanch of a village in Bharatpur district.

Sharma, a general secretary in the BJP's state unit and a first-time MLA from Jaipur's Sanganer constituency, has maintained a low profile within the party. Despite this, he has a history of active involvement in the RSS and played a role in the agitation for the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya at the site of the Babri mosque. In 1992, he even spent time in jail for his participation in this movement.

Bhajan Lal Sharma's political journey began around the start of his career when he served as a village sarpanch twice, commencing at the age of 27. Over the past 30 years, he held various positions in the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) and within the party organization.

Sharma, who went to school in Atari village and Nadbai town in Bharatpur district, joined the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and engaged in social causes in Nabadi and Bharatpur. Notably, he actively participated in the 1990 ABVP protest, where he and thousands of students protested in Jammu against attacks on Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley. He courted arrest in Udhampur during this demonstration.

Moving on to the BJYM, the BJP's youth wing, Sharma served as its district president thrice before holding positions such as the Bharatpur district secretary and president. Eventually, he shifted to the BJP's Rajasthan headquarters, where he became the party's state vice president and later a general secretary.

Sharma, who holds a master's degree in political science and runs an agriculture supplies business, is recognized as a disciplined worker within the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the BJP. He maintained a constant presence at the BJP's state headquarters in Jaipur, working through different roles as party presidents changed over time.

He earned praise for his silent and disciplined approach. During the West Bengal assembly elections in 2021, he worked as an aide to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who reportedly was impressed by Sharma's efforts.

Despite speculation about heavyweight leaders like Vasundhara Raje, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Arjun Ram Meghwal being considered for the Chief Minister post in Rajasthan after the assembly elections, Sharma emerged as a surprise choice. The BJP won 115 out of the 199 seats in the November assembly elections, and 12 days after the poll results, Sharma was sworn in as Chief Minister, catching many by surprise. He took the oath while party heavyweights like Raje, Shekhawat, and Meghwal sat on the dais.

After the Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday selected Bhajan Lal Sharma as the new chief minister of Rajasthan, his family expressed happiness and joy. Speaking about his son's selection to the top post, father Krishnalal Sharma said, “It is a great thing...It has been done by God's grace.” Read this story

“Birthday greetings to Rajasthan's CM Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma Ji. A dedicated Party Karyakarta for years, he has made commendable efforts to strengthen BJP across the state. As he embarks on his chief ministerial journey, I wish him the very best in fulfilling people's aspirations,” PM Modi wrote on X.

Bhajan Lal Sharma, the first-time Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA, on Friday took oath as the new chief minister of Rajasthan. He was administered the oath by governor Kalraj Mishra during a ceremony at the Ramnivas Bag in Jaipur. Other BJP leaders Diya Kumari and Prem Chand Bairwa were sworn in as deputy chief ministers. Bhajan Lal Sharma, a first-time MLA, was announced as the chief minister-designate during a BJP legislature party meeting on Tuesday, in the presence of the party's central observers Rajnath Singh, Saroj Pandey and Vinod Tawde. Read More

Bhajan Lal Sharma of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday took oath as the new chief minister of Rajasthan. The first-time MLA was administered the oath by governor Kalraj Mishra during a ceremony at the Ramnivas Bag in Jaipur. BJP MLAs Diya Kumari and Prem Chand Bairwa were sworn in as his deputies. Read More

Diya Kumari, Prem Chand Bairwa took oath as deputy CMs of Rajasthan on Friday.

BJP's Bhajan Lal Sharma took oath as Rajasthan CM on Friday.

PM Modi arrived at the swearing-in ceremony of the new Rajasthan CM in Jaipur.

Rajasthan Deputy Chief Ministers-designate Diya Kumari and Prem Chand Bairwa arrived at the venue of the swearing-in ceremony on Friday. The Deputy CM designates are expected to take oath along with CM designate Bhajan Lal shortly.

PM Narendra Modi has arrived in Jaipur to take part in swearing-in ceremony. The ceremony is expected to begin shortly.

Former Rajasthan CM and BJP leader Vasundhara Raje present at the swearing-in ceremony of Rajasthan CM-designate Bhajanlal Sharma in Jaipur. Other leaders including Rajnath Singh, former CM Ashok Gehlot are also present.

Tripura CM Manik Saha, Union Ministers Arjun Ram Meghwal, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and other leaders are present the swearing-in ceremony of Rajasthan CM-designate Bhajanlal Sharma in Jaipur.

Former Rajasthan CM and senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot is also present at the swearing-in ceremony of Rajasthan CM-designate Bhajanlal Sharma in Jaipur

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Jaipur to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Bhajanlal Sharma. Other BJP leaders including MP CM Mohan Yadav, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Dhami and others also arrived in the city earlier.

Speaking about the swearing-in ceremony of the new chief minister of Rajasthan, BJP leader CP Joshi said it would be attended by top leaders of the party. This would include PM Modi, HM Shah, defence minister Rajnath Singh and others.

"Today, BJP's Govt will be formed under the leadership of Bhajanlal Sharma in Rajasthan. I extend my wishes to the chief minister, deputy chief ministers and all the workers of the party..." he said.

BJP leader and chief minister of Madhya Pradesh Mohan Yadav extended his wishes to Rajasthan CM-designate Bhajanlal Sharma ahead of the oath-taking ceremony. He said, "Rajasthan Govt will be formed today...Rajasthan is the land of Maharana Pratap and will be known for good governance...I extend my wishes to Rajasthan CM-designate Bhajanlal Sharma."

Reacting to Bhajan Lal Sharma taking oath as the new chief minister of Rajasthan today, his father said, "I am happy, it's all because of God's blessings..."

• The swearing-in ceremony for the recently elected Rajasthan government is scheduled to occur at Ramnivas Bagh in Jaipur. Along with Bhajan Lal two deputy chief ministers Diya Kumari and Prem Chand Bairwa are also set to take oath. Notably, key leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP President JP Nadda, are expected to attend the ceremony.
• To accommodate the anticipated large turnout, extensive security measures and seating arrangements have been implemented at the historic Albert Hall. This indicates the significance and public interest surrounding the inauguration of the new Rajasthan government.
• Bhajan Lal Sharma, the leader of the incoming BJP government, has expressed a commitment to align the state's actions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision. This commitment suggests a strategic focus on policies and initiatives that resonate with the broader national agenda set by Modi. It underscores the alignment of the new government's goals with the vision and priorities of the Prime Minister.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami arrives in Jaipur to attend swearing in ceremony of the new CM of Rajasthan Bhajan Lal Sharma.

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde has arrived in Jaipur to attend the ceremony.

“I took blessings of saints, Guru Ji...We will take the guarantee of PM Modi to every citizen of the state,” says Bhajan Lal Sharma hours before he takes oath as the next chief minister of Rajasthan.

The oath-taking ceremony of Rajasthan CM-designate Bhajan Lal Sharma will begin in Jaipur soon. BJP leaders including PM Modi, home minister Shah and others are expected to participate.

BJP leaders garlanded Bhajan Lal Sharma on the day of his oath-taking ceremony. It is also his birthday today.