The most surprising name that could not make a cut into the Modi 2.0 government was former Information and Broadcasting (I&B) minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. But nothing is done in the Modi government without any purpose as Rathore is being tipped to become Rajasthan BJP president.
Among the names that are doing round for the post of state BJP president included another former Union minister P P Chaudhary and Amber MLA Satish Punia. Chaudhary was minister of state for law and justice in the Modi 1.0 government but he does not have the spark of becoming the state party president and even age is not much by his side to lead the team. Sources in the BJP said that the incumbent president Madan Lal Saini will resign soon.
Moreover, with Amit Shah taking over as Union Home minister, a new national president of the BJP and many new state BJP presidents are likely to take over. But the chance of Rathore getting the responsibility is stronger as his performance in the ministry was very good and at the fag end of the tenure of the Modi government he was given independent responsibility of two ministries. So both the PM and party president have faith in him.
Actually the central BJP leadership wants to take out Rajasthan BJP from the hands of former chief minister Vasundhara Raje as it was due to her that the BJP allegedly had lost the last Assembly elections. So the BJP is planning to bet on Rathore. Sources said that there are several reasons for giving Rathore responsibility of state party chief. He is a young leader, he has a clear image, he is close to the top leadership including the PM. His army background might prove to be handy in a state like Rajasthan.
Rajasthan leader Rajendra Singh Shekhawat has already been made cabinet minister in the Modi government so in all likelihood it is Rathore who is going to be anointed the state BJP president. Actually the BJP was waiting to get Assembly and Lok Sabha elections over before making a coup in the state BJP.
Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore seems to be cut out for Rajasthan BJP chief !
