Jaipur

A few months before the bypolls, the BJP appointed Rajya Sabha MP Madan Rathore as the new state party chief, succeeding senior leader C. P. Joshi. Rathore, who views himself as a dedicated party soldier, emphasized that his focus is on fulfilling his new role effectively. He expressed confidence in winning all five bypoll seats Dausa, Uniara, Jhunjhunu, Chaurasi, and Khinvsar.

Rathore acknowledged the significant responsibility given to him by the central leadership and pledged to work hard for the party’s success. Sources indicated that Joshi faced pressure after the BJP’s recent Lok Sabha losses, leading to Rathore’s appointment due to his strong organizational experience.

Rathore’s political career began in the 1970s as an RSS pracharak. He has served as an MLA from Sumerpur and was the party’s Deputy Chief Whip from 2013 to 2018. Despite initially considering running as an independent after being denied a ticket, Rathore continued to support the BJP and recently met with PM Modi. His long association with the party, dating back to the Jan Sangh era, and his experience with both veteran and newer BJP leaders are seen as assets.