CM Bhajan Lal leads tribute to Bhairon Singh Shekhawat on 103rd birth anniversary

Key Takeaways

Bhajan Lal Sharma presided over a tribute assembly in Jaipur on 23 October 2026 marking Bhairon Singh Shekhawat's 103rd birth anniversary .

Shekhawat served as Vice President of India from 2002 to 2007 — the nation's second-highest constitutional post.

He was Chief Minister of Rajasthan three times : 1977–1980, 1990–1992, and 1990–1992.

The event was broadcast live, extending its reach to BJP workers and the public across Rajasthan.

Annual tributes to Shekhawat are a key ritual for Rajasthan's BJP, reinforcing organisational continuity and community ties.

In Jaipur on Friday, 23 October 2026, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma presided over a solemn tribute assembly marking the 103rd birth anniversary of former Vice President and three-time Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhairon Singh Shekhawat — a figure whose political footprint across five decades still shapes the state's BJP identity.

A leader whose legacy spans five decades of Rajasthan politics

Bhairon Singh Shekhawat remains one of Rajasthan's most consequential political figures. He served as Chief Minister of the state three times — in 1977–1980, 1990–1992, and 1990–1992 — before ascending to the nation's second-highest constitutional office as Vice President of India from 2002 to 2007. His journey from the agrarian heartland of Rajasthan to Rashtrapati Bhavan's Annexe made him a defining symbol of what the BJP's grassroots cadre could achieve.

For Rajasthan's BJP, marking Shekhawat's birth anniversary is not merely ceremonial — it is an annual reaffirmation of organisational lineage. Successive state leaderships have held tribute events to keep his memory central to the party's identity in the state.

CM Sharma's tribute assembly in Jaipur

Chief Minister Sharma announced the live-streamed shraddhanjali sabha (tribute assembly) via an official broadcast on 23 October, inviting party workers and the public to join in remembrance. The event, held at Jaipur, brought together BJP workers and community members to pay respects to the late leader.

The occasion underscores Sharma's intent to position his administration as a custodian of Shekhawat's political and social legacy — a legacy that carries particular weight among the Shekhawat community and the broader BJP base in Rajasthan.

For a state that consistently swings between the BJP and Congress in assembly cycles, honouring icons of Shekhawat's stature is as much about political consolidation as it is about genuine reverence. The tribute assembly, broadcast live, extended the reach of that message well beyond Jaipur's assembly halls.

Point of View

But its significance deepens under CM Sharma, who is still consolidating his hold on a state that elected him less than three years ago. By publicly leading a live-streamed tribute, Sharma visibly claims the mantle of Shekhawat's legacy — connecting his administration to one of the BJP's most towering Rajasthan icons. In a state where identity-based consolidation matters, the Shekhawat community's goodwill remains a tangible electoral asset. The event is routine in form but calculated in purpose.

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 and as Vice President of India from 2002 to 2007. He is one of the most prominent political figures in Rajasthan's post-Independence history.

Why is Bhairon Singh Shekhawat's birth anniversary celebrated in 2026?

2026 marks Shekhawat's 103rd birth anniversary. Indian political parties routinely mark such milestones to honour former leaders and reinforce organisational identity; Rajasthan's BJP has held annual tribute events in his memory.

What did CM Bhajan Lal Sharma do on Shekhawat's birth anniversary?

Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma organised and presided over a tribute assembly — a shraddhanjali sabha — in Jaipur on 23 October 2026, which was also broadcast live online.

How many times was Bhairon Singh Shekhawat Chief Minister of Rajasthan?

Bhairon Singh Shekhawat served as Chief Minister of Rajasthan three times: 1977–1980, 1990–1992, and a third term before becoming Vice President in 2002.

When did Bhairon Singh Shekhawat serve as Vice President of India?

Bhairon Singh Shekhawat served as Vice President of India from 2002 to 2007.