Bhajan Lal Sharma, a first-time Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), garnered widespread attention on Tuesday when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced his selection as the Chief Minister-designate of Rajasthan, adding another surprising twist to its succession of Chief Ministerial declarations that included Vishnu Deo Sai in Chhattisgarh and Mohan Yadav in Madhya Pradesh.
Born in Attari village, Bharatpur, Rajasthan, Bhajan Lal Sharma, aged 56, emerged as a prominent figure following the BJP's announcement. An alumnus of Gagwana High School in Nadbai, he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from MSJ College in Bharatpur in 1989 and pursued a Master's degree in Political Science from Rajasthan University in 1993.
Bhajan Lal Sharma's political journey within the BJP commenced when he assumed the role of the president of Nadbai Mandal of Yuva Morcha. Progressing through various positions, he served as the president of ABVP in Nadbai, later becoming the co-convenor of the Bharatpur district unit. Subsequently, he assumed roles such as the college unit chief and district co-chief. Notably, his active participation in events like the 'Kashmir march' in 1990 and his arrest during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in 1992 shaped his early political experiences.
Despite an initial setback in the 2003 election, where he contested as an Independent candidate from Bharatpur's Nadbai seat and faced defeat, Bhajan Lal Sharma's fortunes took a turn in 2021. His association with BJP chief JP Nadda and his pivotal role in the West Bengal Assembly elections, under the leadership of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, significantly contributed to his political resurgence.
In the 2023 Rajasthan assembly election, Bhajan Lal Sharma secured a ticket from the ostensibly 'safe' seat of Sanganer. When objections arose from other BJP members aspiring for the same ticket, the party purportedly cited instructions from Amit Shah as the rationale for Sharma's candidacy in Sanganer.
His connections within the Sangh and positive relations with the organization's general secretary Chandrashekhar played a pivotal role in his candidacy. Notably, Sharma is associated with the supply of farming and mineral equipment and currently resides in Malviya Nagar, Jaipur.
Family-wise, his wife Geeta is a Panchayat Samiti member, and the couple has two sons. While their elder son Ashish is preparing for competitive examinations, the younger son Kunal pursues a career in medicine. This detailed overview highlights Bhajan Lal Sharma's multifaceted background, showcasing his journey from an Independent candidate to the Chief Minister-designate of Rajasthan and shedding light on his diverse experiences and associations within the political landscape.
