Congress government in Rajasthan gets its Chief Minister and cabinet in place after long consultations while in BJP former chief minister Vasundhara Raje may take up the role being the undisputed leader of BJP legislators.

Raje is a natural choice. Additionally, there are a few takers who are ready for this position, if she declines. Former home minister Gulab Chand Kataria, former Panchayati Raj minister Rajendra Rathore, and former education minister and RSS man Vasudev Devnani may be considered. The son-in-law of former vice president Narpat Singh Rajvi is also said to be in the race.

After the party’s debacle in the assembly elections, the appointment of strong leaders in key positions of LoP and party state president would be crucial for BJP ahead of Lok Sabha election. In 2008, when BJP had lost to Congress, Vasundhara Raje opted for the post of LoP while Om Prakash Mathur, under whose presidentship the BJP lost the assembly elections, had continued in his post till Lok Sabha election.

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BJP’s trust in Raje

After losing 20 seats in parliamentary elections both Raje and Mathur had to resign. However, Raje bounced back in 2011 to become LoP again and then went on to become state party president in the election year of 2013.

According to the sources, the situation is similar to 2008. Raje may drive the electioneering as LoP for 2019 elections and state president Madan Lal Saini too may continue till Lok Sabha results. Since the party is in a precarious situation, senior leaders are advising against much experimentation. Raje still enjoys the loyalty of most of the BJP legislators.

On the other hand, Rajasthan Congress will see some new faces, especially after few key functionaries getting the berth. The change has become all the more important to accommodate former ministers and senior MLAs who were left out of the ministry this time. Deputy CM Sachin Pilot has hinted at bringing in some structural changes in the organisation before the general elections.