A NEW CHAPTER IN RAJASTHAN’S POLITICS OF TRUST, GOOD GOVERNANCE AND DEVELOPMENT

December 15 in Rajasthan is no longer just a date on the calendar. It has come to symbolise good governance, accountability and measurable outcomes. Exactly two years ago, on this day, Bhajan Lal Sharma took oath as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan. As his government completes two years, the moment carries a dual significance: it coincides with the CM’s birthday and offers an opportunity to assess a leadership style that has quietly but firmly reshaped the state’s governance culture.

Bhajan Lal Sharma’s ascent from the Bharatiya Janata Party’s organisational ranks to the state’s highest executive office was neither accidental nor routine. His selection sent a clear signal. It was not a product of regional arithmetic or political balancing, but a reflection of the confidence reposed in him by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. His long organisational experience, acceptance among party workers and unblemished public image laid the foundation for his leadership.

Over the past two years, Sharma has demonstrated that he is not merely an administrator managing daily affairs, but a Chief Minister with a reformoriented mindset and a long-term vision. From the very beginning, his message was unambiguous: corruption, negligence and indiscipline would find no shelter in his government. The arrest of a former minister in a Jal Jeevan Mission-linked scam and the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s probe against a senior IAS officer of Additional Chief Secretary rank sent out a strong signal that position, influence or political identity would not override the rule of law. The suspension of RAS officers, public action against the guilty and strict enforcement of administrative discipline have together shaped Bhajan Lal Sharma’s image as a “Mr Clean” leader—one who prefers decisive action over rhetoric.

Restoring trust in recruitment examinations was one of Rajasthan’s toughest challenges. The Bhajan Lal government addressed it with a zero-tolerance policy, special investigative mechanisms and strict monitoring. Between December 2023 and November 2025, the RPSC and Subordinate Services Selection Board conducted 296 competitive exams. During this period, 138 FIRs were filed and 394 accused arrested for dummy candidates, fake degrees and exam mafias. Oncetainted exams are now increasingly transparent and credible, with firm action in sensitive cases like the SI Recruitment Exam-2021.

Among the Bhajan Lal government’s most strategic achievements is the revival of the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project. Recast as the Ramjal Setu Link Project by linking the Parvati–Kalisindh–Chambal rivers, it has gained scale and national importance through sustained engagement with the Centre and strong political will. Along with the Yamuna water agreement, it promises benefits for lakhs of farmers, higher agricultural productivity, relief from urban water stress, and a better climate for industry and investment. Investment, too, has moved beyond MoUs. Under Rising Rajasthan, Rs 37 lakh crore worth of MoUs were signed, with Rs 9 lakh crore already under implementation. The Pravasi Rajasthani Sammelan has further mobilised the global diaspora, with long-term gains expected across education, healthcare, tourism, real estate and employment.

Rajasthan’s ambition to emerge as India’s leading solar energy state is no longer confined to policy documents. Large solar parks, private investment and central support are steadily turning the state into a green energy powerhouse, enhancing energy selfreliance while creating revenue and jobs. In urban development, the approval of the Detailed Project Report for Jaipur Metro Phase-2 marks a significant step forward.

Equally notable is the focus on grassroots welfare. Schemes such as the Chief Minister’s Rural Roads Programme, Shree Annapurna Rasoi, Ayushman Arogya, free medicines and diagnostics, the Lado Promotion Scheme, enhanced social security pensions and the expansion of free electricity to 150 units have delivered tangible benefits to ordinary citizens. After more than thirteen years of delay, the Pachpadra Refinery project—long considered emblematic of policy paralysis—has finally reached an implementation-ready stage. The successful hosting of the National University Games added a cultural and sporting dimension to the government’s achievements. The Rajasthan Public Trust Ordinance 2025, aimed at simplifying procedures, reducing litigation and improving the business climate, reflects an emphasis on administrative reform.

Completing nearly 70 percent of the promises made in the Sankalp Patra within two years speaks a lot about the government’s execution capacity. Education, healthcare, women and child welfare, youth empowerment, farmers and labourers have remained at the centre of policy focus. CM Sharma’s frequent engagement with central ministers during Delhi visits has ensured faster approvals and smoother implementation of projects related to roads, railways, water, energy and social welfare. Beyond policy and administration, Bhajan Lal Sharma’s strongest asset remains his connection with party workers and the public. Morning walks, conversations at tea stalls, village interactions and regular public hearings reflect a leadership style rooted in accessibility. By retaining his organisational ethos even as Chief Minister, he has reinforced the idea that government and organisation will move together.

As his government successfully completes its twoyear tenure, Bhajan Lal Sharma stands established not merely as a product of organisational politics, but as a balanced, decisive and credible Chief Minister. This milestone, coinciding with his birthday, is not just a personal marker—it represents a governance journey defined by discipline, delivery and development, with much more still to come.