CM Bhajan Lal pays tribute to Bhairon Singh Shekhawat on birth anniversary
Synopsis
Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma offered floral tribute to former VP and three-time CM Bhairon Singh Shekhawat on his birth anniversary, honouring his legacy of Antyodaya welfare, visionary governance, and lifelong public service.
Key Takeaways
Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma offered floral homage to Bhairon Singh Shekhawat at the Chief Minister's residence in Jaipur on 23 October 2026 .
Shekhawat served as Chief Minister of Rajasthan across three terms: 1977–80 , 1990–92 , and 1993–98 .
He launched the Antyodaya programme in 1977 , targeting the poorest families for food security and livelihood — a model that influenced welfare design nationally.
Shekhawat served as Vice President of India from 2002 to 2007 .
Sharma described Shekhawat's life as 'an inspiring example of dedication to public service, good governance, and Antyodaya.' BJP governments in Rajasthan have consistently commemorated Shekhawat to signal ideological continuity with his governance ethos.
On the birth anniversary of one of Rajasthan's most consequential leaders, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma offered floral homage to the portrait of former Vice President and three-time Chief Minister Bhairon Singh Shekhawat at the Chief Minister's residence in Jaipur on Friday, 23 October 2026.
Sharma, paying his respects with a garland and a bow — pushpanjali arpita kar sadar naman (offering flowers with respectful salutation) — described Shekhawat's life as 'an inspiring example of dedication to public service, good governance, and Antyodaya.' He added that Shekhawat's 'visionary leadership, welfare-oriented thinking, and unwavering commitment to the public good gave Rajasthan's development a new direction.'
Three terms, one enduring welfare idea
Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, affectionately called 'Babosa' (a term of reverence meaning 'respected elder'), served as Chief Minister of Rajasthan across three terms — 1977–80, 1990–92, and 1993–98. His most consequential policy innovation came in 1977, when he launched the Antyodaya programme, targeting the very poorest families for food security and livelihood support. The concept — 'uplift the last person first' — predated national adoption of the idea by decades and became a touchstone for welfare design in India.
He went on to serve as Vice President of India from 2002 to 2007, carrying the same ethos of grassroots governance to the constitutional office. Even in opposition periods, Shekhawat remained a dominant reference point for Rajasthan's political identity.
Sharma invokes Shekhawat's legacy as a governing compass
For the current BJP government in Rajasthan — which took office in December 2023 under Sharma — Shekhawat represents a direct line of ideological continuity. The tribute at the Chief Minister's residence is part of a recurring BJP tradition of formally marking Shekhawat's birth anniversary, underlining that his model of targeted welfare and sober administration remains a benchmark the party aspires to.
Sharma closed his tribute with a pledge: 'His ideals, thoughts, and values of public service will always guide us.' That framing — ancestor-to-heir continuity — is deliberate. With a state budget and legislative session on the horizon, watch for whether Shekhawat-era Antyodaya language makes a formal reappearance in Rajasthan's welfare architecture.
Point of View
Which positioned the poorest citizen as the primary beneficiary of state action. For Sharma, who leads a government still defining its welfare identity after its December 2023 election win, the invocation is both symbolic and programmatic. Such commemorations carry forward pressure on the administration to demonstrate tangible continuity with Shekhawat's record, especially on targeted welfare delivery. As a state budget cycle approaches, the framing of Shekhawat as a 'guiding compass' could signal the policy vocabulary Sharma intends to use.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Bhairon Singh Shekhawat?
Bhairon Singh Shekhawat was a BJP leader who served as Chief Minister of Rajasthan three times (1977–80, 1990–92, 1993–98) and as Vice President of India from 2002 to 2007. He was fondly called 'Babosa' and pioneered the Antyodaya welfare programme in Rajasthan in 1977.
What is the Antyodaya programme started by Shekhawat?
The Antyodaya programme was launched by Bhairon Singh Shekhawat in 1977 during his first term as Rajasthan Chief Minister. It focused on identifying and supporting the poorest families through food security and livelihood assistance, embodying the principle of 'uplift the last person first.'
Why did CM Bhajan Lal Sharma pay tribute to Shekhawat?
CM Bhajan Lal Sharma offered floral homage to Bhairon Singh Shekhawat on his birth anniversary on 23 October 2026 , honouring his legacy of public service, good governance, and welfare-oriented leadership in Rajasthan.
When did Bhairon Singh Shekhawat serve as Vice President of India?
Bhairon Singh Shekhawat served as Vice President of India from 2002 to 2007 , having been elected to the post in August 2002.
Who is Bhajan Lal Sharma?
Bhajan Lal Sharma is the current Chief Minister of Rajasthan and a senior BJP leader. He assumed office in December 2023 following the BJP's victory in the Rajasthan assembly elections.
