The resignation of Rajasthan Minority Affairs Minister Surenderpal Singh unfolded on Tuesday, marking the aftermath of his defeat in the Karanpur by-poll against Congress candidate Rupinder Singh Kooner. This development occurred merely a day after the electoral loss. Surenderpal Singh had been inducted into the Rajasthan cabinet despite originally being the BJP's candidate for the by-poll.
The defeat, with Rupinder Singh securing a victory margin of over 11,000 votes, prompted Singh's decision to step down from his ministerial position. His journey as a Minister of State (MoS) with independent charge commenced on December 30, 2023, when he took the oath of office. Subsequently, on January 5, he was assigned various portfolios, including the minority and waqf department, agricultural marketing department, Indira Gandhi Nahar, and irrigation development.
It's noteworthy that objections were raised by the Congress, asserting a violation of the code of conduct, as Singh assumed ministerial responsibilities while still being a candidate for the Karanpur bypoll. This controversy added a layer of complexity to the situation.
Before this recent stint, Surenderpal Singh had served twice as a minister in the BJP government led by former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, in 2003 and 2018. During these tenures, he was entrusted with the agriculture department in 2003 and the petroleum department in 2018.
The political landscape in Rajasthan had undergone a significant transformation with the formation of the new government under Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma. This development came in the wake of the BJP's resounding victory in the state Assembly elections held in November 2023, securing 115 out of the total 199 seats. Bhajan Lal Sharma assumed office as Rajasthan Chief Minister on December 15, 2023, with Diya Kumari and Premchand Bairwa appointed as his deputies, ushering in a new era in the state's political scenario.
