CM Bhajanlal, Governor pay tribute to Bhairon Singh Shekhawat
Synopsis
Governor Haribhau Bagde and Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma paid floral tributes at Bhairon Singh Shekhawat's memorial in Vidyadhar Nagar, Jaipur, on his birth anniversary on 23 October 2026, also attending a Hari Kirtan at the site.
Key Takeaways
Governor Haribhau Bagde and CM Bhajanlal Sharma offered floral tributes at Bhairon Singh Shekhawat's memorial on 23 October 2026 , his birth anniversary.
The memorial is situated at Vidyadhar Nagar, Jaipur .
Both dignitaries also attended a Hari Kirtan (devotional singing) at the site after the tribute.
Shekhawat served as Chief Minister of Rajasthan during 1977-1980, 1990-1992, and 1993-1998 , and as Vice President of India from 2002 to 2007 .
CM Bhajanlal Sharma has led Rajasthan since December 2023 , and the tribute underscores the BJP government's continuity with Shekhawat's political legacy.
On the birth anniversary of one of Rajasthan's most towering political figures, the state's highest constitutional authorities gathered at a memorial site in Jaipur to pay their respects. Governor Haribhau Bagde and Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma arrived at the memorial of former Vice President and three-time Chief Minister Bhairon Singh Shekhawat at Vidyadhar Nagar, Jaipur, on Friday, 23 October 2026, to offer floral tributes on his birth anniversary.
The Chief Minister's Office of Rajasthan shared the moment on X, noting that after the floral tribute — pushpanjali [an offering of flowers] — both dignitaries stayed on at the memorial to listen to Hari Kirtan, devotional singing in honour of the departed leader. The hashtag #आपणो_अग्रणी_राजस्थान ('Our Leading Rajasthan') accompanied the post.Three terms as Chief Minister, then the nation's second office
Bhairon Singh Shekhawat stands as one of Rajasthan's defining political personalities. He served as Chief Minister of the state across three separate tenures — 1977–1980, 1990–1992, and 1993–1998 — before ascending to the Vice Presidency of India, a post he held from 2002 to 2007. A senior BJP leader, Shekhawat was widely regarded as the architect of the party's grassroots presence in Rajasthan. His memorial at Vidyadhar Nagar has since become the focal point of the state's annual tribute to his legacy.A ritual of remembrance the state keeps, year after year
State governments across India routinely mark the birth anniversaries of former chief ministers with official ceremonies — the governor and sitting chief minister attending together regardless of party affiliation, a small but pointed signal of institutional continuity over political rivalry. Today's observance followed that tradition. The presence of Hari Kirtan at the memorial added a note of personal devotion to what is otherwise a formal constitutional gesture, underscoring the cultural weight Shekhawat still carries in Rajasthan's public memory. For CM Bhajanlal Sharma, who has led the state since December 2023, honouring Shekhawat is also an act of political inheritance — a direct acknowledgment of the BJP lineage he now carries forward in Rajasthan. The legacy lives; the state remembers.Point of View
Still consolidating his footing after a December 2023 election victory, publicly venerating Shekhawat's legacy is a way of grounding his own leadership in a respected lineage. The joint presence of the Governor signals that the tribute carries constitutional weight, not merely partisan sentiment. Such rituals are quiet but deliberate acts of political memory-making.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Bhairon Singh Shekhawat?
Bhairon Singh Shekhawat was a senior BJP leader who served as Chief Minister of Rajasthan three times — in 1977-1980, 1990-1992, and 1993-1998 — and later as Vice President of India from 2002 to 2007.
When is Bhairon Singh Shekhawat's birth anniversary?
Bhairon Singh Shekhawat's birth anniversary falls on 23 October, and is marked each year with official tributes at his memorial in Vidyadhar Nagar, Jaipur.
Where is Bhairon Singh Shekhawat's memorial located?
His memorial is located at Vidyadhar Nagar, a locality in Jaipur, Rajasthan, and serves as the site for the state's annual commemorative events.
Who is the current Chief Minister of Rajasthan?
Bhajanlal Sharma has been the Chief Minister of Rajasthan since December 2023, representing the BJP.
What is Hari Kirtan and why was it held at the memorial?
Hari Kirtan is devotional singing in praise of the divine, commonly performed at religious and commemorative gatherings in India. It was held at Shekhawat's memorial as an act of personal tribute following the formal floral offering.
