Senior BJP netas tight-lipped over record delay in cabinet formation

Jaipur: Senior BJP leaders are clueless about the much-awaited cabinet formation in Rajasthan.Thirteen days have passed since the swearing-in of chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma with two deputy CMs, Diya Kumari and Prem Chand Bairwa, but the party is struggling to appoint ministers or even distribute portfolios to the two deputies. State BJP president CP Joshi and two deputies remain tight-lipped on why there is a record delay—24 days—in cabinet expansion. The longest delay in the state until now was in 1980 and 2018; both times the cabinet was formed 13 days after the election results were declared. Governor Kalraj Mishra is heading to Jodhpur on Thursday leaving no chance for the cabinet formation. It is likely to be held on Friday or Saturday. BJP spokesperson Laxmikant Bhardwaj said, “The cabinet expansion is a prerogative of Bhajan Lal Sharma. I don’t see any major delay in the cabinet formation, and just 13 days have passed for the CM to assume office. The BJP doesn’t work like Congress in a haphazard manner, and it is working hard to give a council of ministers that can resolve all issues and ensure holistic development.”The delay has perturbed the senior leaders too who feel that it has become a point of discussion across the state and can damage the image of Bhajan Lal. No leaders agreed to talk on the record, fearing the move could be seen as an act against the party.“The delay is questioning our credibility for taking fast decisions. Every time we see newspapers and people on social media making fun of the delay, it is not a good sign. I understand it has happened in the past also, but that doesn’t give us the reason to delay it further,” said a senior leader.Former leader of Opposition, Rajendra Rathore, over the phone from Churu, said, “The delay is not unusual. The CM is working hard to give the best of the best council of ministers so that for the next five years they serve the people uninterrupted.”The CM had paid a visit to the central leaders in Delhi to discuss the names and portfolios of the ministers. “During the meeting everything was discussed and approved by the party's national president JP Nadda and senior leaders of state,” said a source.