Rajasthan Cabinet: Jhabar Singh Kharra on Cabinet Expansion: 'Will Resign Immediately if CM Asks'

Amidst intense speculation and discussions in political circles regarding the Rajasthan cabinet expansion, Cabinet Minister Jhabar Singh Kharra has offered his perspective. He outright dismissed the current rumors, stating that there have been no such discussions so far. However, he promptly added a crucial caveat: if the Chief Minister or the party high command desires, he would immediately submit his resignation. Kharra's statement has ignited a fresh debate in the state's political landscape, especially following Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma's recent visit to Delhi, which further fueled the cabinet reshuffle talks.

Mounting Speculations on Cabinet Expansion

Discussions about a cabinet expansion in Rajasthan have been ongoing for some time, while recent reports suggested that work on the cabinet expansion would commence after the Anta assembly by-election. The Anta by-election is being viewed as a significant 'litmus test' for Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, assessing his government's performance and popularity, while the outcome of this election could influence the direction and nature of the cabinet expansion. The Chief Minister's visit to Delhi further intensified these speculations, suggesting that a major decision might be imminent.

The Potential Adoption of the Gujarat Model

Political analysts believe that Rajasthan might consider adopting the 'Gujarat Model' for its cabinet reshuffle. In Gujarat, the entire cabinet recently resigned, leading to a fresh formation where several old faces were replaced by new and younger individuals. There are speculations that Rajasthan might follow a similar path, where all existing ministers could be asked to resign, and selected individuals would be given new responsibilities. This move could be aimed at promoting new leadership within the party and making the government more dynamic. While there has been no official confirmation regarding the adoption of this model, it remains a prominent topic of discussion.

Current Cabinet Strength and Future Plans

Responding to questions about cabinet expansion and ministerial resignations, Cabinet Minister Jhabar Singh Kharra stated that there have been no such discussions to date. He dismissed these talks, asserting that 'there is no such thing. ' However, he made it clear that if the high command or the Chief Minister wishes, he would immediately present his resignation, while kharra emphasized that this is the prerogative of the party's top leadership and the Chief Minister. They can expand the council of ministers whenever they deem fit, after discussions with the Chief Minister. This statement indicates the minister's readiness to abide by the party's decision. Currently, the state cabinet comprises 24 ministers. The total permissible limit for the cabinet in Rajasthan is 30 ministers, meaning six positions are still vacant. It's believed that Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma aims to strengthen his team before the government completes two years in December. This expansion is expected to consider caste and regional balance, ensuring fair representation for all sections and regions, while this step would be crucial for making the government's functioning more effective and conveying a better message to the public. Filling the vacant positions and a potential reshuffle are anticipated to inject new energy into the government.