JAIPUR: BJP unexpectedly chaired Bhajan Lal Sharma, a first-time MLA as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan amidst intense speculation following the election results. Sharma, previously unheard of in political circles was a surprise choice to lead the state with his appointment shrouded in suspense to manage Rajasthan's governance transition.

Notably, Sharma's absence from the forefront during the assembly's group photo and the subsequent meetings to decide the Chief Minister raised eyebrows. Despite winning from the Sanganer constituency, he was placed inconspicuously in the third row of the MLA photo and occupied a seat in the back rows during the crucial Chief Minister selection meeting.

The BJP had actively deliberated the names of several prominent figures like Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Ashwini Vaishnav, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia for the top post. Surprisingly, Bhajan Lal Sharma belonging to the Brahmin community and a newcomer to the political scene wasn't considered even for a position in the state cabinet.

Sharma secured his maiden MLA seat by defeating Congress candidate Pushpendra Bhardwaj with a significant margin of 48,081 votes. Additionally, the BJP announced Diya Kumari and Premchand Bhairwa as Deputy Chief Ministers representing the Rajput community and the Scheduled Caste respectively. The Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Ministers were declared by Central Observer Rajnath Singh during the BJP Legislative Party meeting held in Jaipur.