Government of Rajasthan

Rajasthan not only has rich tourism but also has a rich history with numerous rulers and kingdoms in the past that have left an unforgettable history behind. The politics of the State has been running for the past millennium through the rulers as well as politicians ever since the arrival of the British colony in India. The Rajasthan government has been active since the founding of Rajasthan on 30th March 1949 and was given statehood. Its rich history is here to stay for centuries to come but for now, let us know further about the government of Rajasthan and its political history and dominion over the State. 

Chief Ministers of Rajasthan

The first Chief Minister of Rajasthan was Heera Lal Shastri, who assumed the seat of Chief Minister on 7th April 1949 till he resigned on 5th January 1951 and remained in power for less than two years. During his tenure, he worked to join the princely states, and after his resignation as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, he joined the second Lok Sabha. Heera Lal Shastri and the next six Chief Ministers after him were all from the Indian National Congress Party, and post that Bharatiya Janata Party came into power for the first time in the year 1977 through Bhairon Singh Shekhawat in the 6th election of the State and his tenure lasted for almost three years. 

The first female Chief Minister of Rajasthan was Vasundhara Raje, who assumed power in 2013 on the 14th election of the State. She represented the Bharatiya Janata Party, and her tenure lasted for five years until Congress came into power again through Ashok Gehlot, the present Chief Minister of Rajasthan. His party won the 15th State election with majority votes in 2018 and has been in power since 17th December. 

The chief minister of the Indian State is elected in the legislative assembly by getting the majority votes and is established by the vote of confidence in the Legislative assembly suggested by the governor. The governor is the head of the State and is the appointing authority, while the chief minister holds the office for five years until re-elected. The oath swearing is done before the governor since the chief minister is appointed by the governor as laid in the law of the Indian constitution. Rajasthan follows the same procedure of selecting and appointing its chief minister as stated in the constitution. 

Structure of Rajasthan Government

The chief minister of Rajasthan is also the chief executive of the State and has the de facto executive authority. In contrast, the governor of the State has de jure power following the constitution of India. The term of the chief minister of Rajasthan is the typical five years which is the same as all the other states based on the elections taking place every five years that follow the law laid down by the constitution of India. 

Rajasthan has 33 districts in total, with Jaipur as its capital city and all come under the jurisdiction of the state government. The head of the State is the governor, who is selected by the President of India with the consent and suggestions of the central government and has the three government bodies – the executive, legislative, and the judiciary as its structural architecture. The chief minister of Rajasthan has the most control over the State along with having the executive power despite the governor having the de jure power and being the head of the State. The post of the governor is largely ceremonial as most of the executive power does not lie with this post itself. 

The Vidhan Sabha, also known as the legislative Assembly, and the Secretariat are housed in the capital city of Rajasthan, Jaipur. At the same time, the Rajasthan High Court is placed in the city of rich history and culture, Jodhpur. The court has its bench in Jaipur jurisdiction over the neighbouring districts, respectively. Its present legislature is unicameral, consisting of the Legislative Assembly having a maximum term of five years. 

The Rajasthan government has several departments, such as the Anti-Corruption Bureau of Rajasthan, Ayurveda Department, BioFuel Authority, Commercial Taxes Department, Department of Animal Husbandry, Department of Archaeology and Museums, Department of Environment, Department Of Mine and Geology of Rajasthan, and many more. 

History of Rajasthan’s politics

The State’s government is mainly divided into two well-known political parties – the Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party. The two-state stalwarts of Rajasthan dominated the State’s politics – Mohan Lal Sukhadia and Bhairon Singh Shekhawat of the Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party, respectively, with the former party leading the politics from the initial days of Rajasthan gaining its statehood. 

Bhairon Singh Shekhawat’s government was suspended by the Prime Minister of that time, Narasimha Rao, after the demolition of the Babri Mosque, and the President’s rule was put in place until the next chief minister was to assume office. 

Conclusion

Ever since Rajasthan gained its statehood status, the politics there has been quite complex because of the two reigning political parties – Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party. Since its formation, the Rajasthan government had to take initiatives to integrate the princely State that had so many kingdoms ruling within it over the past millennium and has left its legacy through its descendants and historical monuments. Rajasthan managed to attract people from all over the world for its rich culture and heritage and the standing legacies left behind by the past kingdoms. The history of the State dates back as far as 5000 years.