Exit Polls Predict 'Riwaaj Of Change' Continuing In Rajasthan With BJP Poised To Win; Top Probables To Be CM

Rajasthan Assembly Election News:  After the exit polls hit TV screens on Thursday, the streets from political to Mohalla are buzzing with speculation about the five states that went to election last month. Of these five states, Rajasthan is perhaps the most discussed state as it has a history of dethroning the ruling party every five years, making the predictions even more interesting. Exit Polls have forecasted a BJP victory in the north-western Indian state, fuelling the market of speculations about the probable CM face of the Saffron party in the state.

Although Bhartiya Janta Party leaders are escaping the questions on probable CM face, some leaders are being touted as the chief minister candidates in the political corridors of Jaipur as well as Delhi.

These are the five BJP leaders who might make their way up to the top post-

6. Diya Kumari

Diya Kumari is the former princess of the Jaipur Royal Family and the granddaughter of Man Singh II, the last ruling Maharaja of the princely state of Jaipur during British rule in India. The Rajsamand BJP MP is also a socialite and philanthropist and the founder of the Princess Diya Kumari Foundation - an organisation for social causes.

Diya Kumari was inducted into the Bharatiya Janata Party on 10 September 2013 before a huge crowd of over two-lakh people, in the presence of the then Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, then BJP president, Rajnath Singh and former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje at a rally in Jaipur. She contested the 2013 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly election as a BJP candidate from Sawai Madhopur and became an MLA. In 2019, she was elected as a Member of Parliament to the Lok Sabha from Rajsamand.

5. C P Joshi (47, Chittorgarh)

A two-time Brahman MP from Chittorgarh, Chandra Prakash Joshi, started his political career as a student leader in Congress's NSUI. However, he later joined the BJP in the year 2000 and went on to fight many elections under the 'Lotus' symbol, performing exceptionally. Joshi contested the Loksabha elections in 2014 and 2019 and reached Parliament by defeating senior Congress leaders Dr Girija Vyas and Gopal Singh Edwa.

His appointment as the Rajasthan BJP president in March 2023, just months before the Assembly elections, came as an unexpected choice. His stature remained tall in the party as he has been travelling across the state in the company of senior leaders like J P Nadda, holding meetings with party workers.

4. Satish Poonia (59, Amer)

Satish Poonia, a first-time MLA, held the position of BJP's state president for three and a half years before CP Joshi took over in March. Despite having less experience than other state counterparts, Poonia has become a prominent Jat figure in state politics. His organisational proficiency and adept handling of the party during the COVID-19 period earned praise from the Prime Minister himself.

3. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (56, Jaisalmer)

A two-time MP from Jaisalmer and the present Jal Shakti Minister holds a significant role in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. His trajectory from student leadership to overseeing the implementation of the flagship Jal Jeevan Mission during PM Modi's second term reflects his dedication and competence for the high posts.

In charge of a budget amounting to ₹3.5 trillion, Shekhawat leads the mission to ensure water taps for all households by 2024. For some time now, he has been recognised as a potential Chief Minister candidate for the BJP's new generation of leaders in Rajasthan. According to a recent NDTV-CSDS Lokniti survey, Mr Shekhawat ranked as the third most preferred choice for Chief Ministership, following Vasundhara Raje and Mahant Balak Nath.

2. Mahant Balaknath (39, Alwar)

A seer cum politician just like Yogi Adityanath, the seasoned orator defeated Congress candidate Bhanwar Jitendra Singh with a margin of over 3 lakh votes. With growing popularity and rising stature, he can surprise everyone after the poll results on December 3. Surprisingly, according to a recent Axis My India Exit Poll survey, Mahant Balaknath leads ahead of Vasundhara Raje in the race for chief ministership.

1. Vasundhara Raje (70)

Perhaps the tallest face for the CM candidature, Rajasthan's politics is incomplete without Vasundhara Raje. She has held the top post two times and was an incumbent before being ousted by the current CM Ashok Gehlot.

The matriarch of the Bamraulia family of Dholpur, Raje, is a fierce politician who knows what she is doing. Even though many are suggesting a decline in her popularity lately, there would be no surprise if the party again hands over the realm to her hands.