Why Rajasthan Minister Kirodi Lal Meena’s Resignation Matters for Competitive Exam Aspirants

Historical Context: Rajasthan, a state in northern India, has a rich political history marked by significant contributions from various leaders. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (INC) have been the primary political players in the state. The political landscape has seen numerous shifts, with leaders like Vasundhara Raje and Ashok Gehlot playing pivotal roles. Understanding the political dynamics of Rajasthan is crucial for competitive exam aspirants, as it provides insights into the state’s governance and electoral trends.

Article: Senior minister Kirodi Lal Meena has announced his resignation from the Rajasthan cabinet, a move that goes beyond merely keeping a pre-election promise. Meena had vowed to step down if the ruling BJP lost any parliamentary seat under his watch, a promise he reiterated at a recent religious gathering.

The BJP’s performance in the recent elections saw a significant decline, with the party’s tally dropping from 24 seats in 2019 to 14 this year. Notably, the BJP lost in key constituencies such as Dausa, Bharatpur, Karauli-Dholpur, and Tonk-Sawai Madhopur, areas where Meena had actively campaigned. In Dausa, Meena’s native constituency, the Congress candidate won by a margin of over 2 lakh votes.

Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has yet to accept Meena’s resignation. On social media, Meena quoted a couplet from Tulsidas’s ‘Ramcharitmanas’ to emphasize his commitment to his promise.

Political analysts suggest that Meena’s resignation is a strategic move to exert pressure on the state government ahead of the by-polls in five assembly constituencies: Jhunjhunu, Dausa, Deoli-Uniyara, Khinvsar, and Chaurasi. Meena is in charge of Dausa and has been vocal about alleged corruption in various government schemes, including the Jal Jeevan Mission.

Meena’s resignation is seen as a calculated strategy to challenge the Bhajan Lal government, especially with the upcoming assembly by-polls. His actions are reminiscent of his earlier political maneuvers, such as quitting the BJP when he couldn’t corner then Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje. Meena’s wife even joined the Congress government of Ashok Gehlot and was made a minister, although Meena later returned to the BJP after Raje’s defeat in 2018.

Meena’s dissatisfaction with the BJP’s internal dynamics has been evident. He was reportedly unhappy with not being given the deputy chief minister’s post and was further discontented when his ministry was bifurcated into agriculture and rural development. His lobbying for his brother to be the party candidate from Dausa also failed, adding to his grievances.

Meena’s resignation is seen as the first step in a broader strategy to assert his influence within the party and the state government. His actions highlight the complexities of Rajasthan’s political landscape and the internal challenges within the BJP.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• Kirodi Lal Meena resigned from the Rajasthan cabinet, fulfilling a pre-election promise.
• BJP’s seat count in Rajasthan dropped from 24 in 2019 to 14 in the recent elections.
• Meena’s resignation is seen as a strategic move ahead of by-polls in five assembly constituencies.
• Meena has been vocal about alleged corruption in government schemes.
• His resignation challenges the leadership of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma.
• Meena has a history of political maneuvers, including quitting the BJP and later rejoining.
• He was reportedly unhappy with not being given the deputy chief minister’s post and other internal party dynamics.
• Meena’s resignation is viewed as a step to assert his influence within the party and the state government.