Bhajanlal Sharma's Jaipur roadshow caps 10-rally blitz on civic poll final day
Synopsis
Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma wrapped up his civic poll blitz with a one-kilometre roadshow through Jaipur's historic walled city — his 10th in five days. The BJP is pushing a 'triple-engine' government pitch, but the campaign's most-watched subplot may be sidelined mayoral hopeful Raghunath Naredi's conspicuous role managing the CM's vehicle.
Key Takeaways
Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma held a roadshow through Jaipur's walled city on 9 September , the final day of campaigning for the civic polls' second phase.
The roadshow covered roughly one kilometre from Sanganeri Gate to Tripolia Gate , passing through Johari Bazar and Badi Chaupar .
Sharma completed 10 roadshows across Rajasthan in the preceding five days .
The CM urged voters to elect BJP to create a 'triple-engine' government for faster development.
BJP leader Raghunath Naredi , who was not nominated for the mayoral post, was seen managing arrangements on the CM's roadshow vehicle, drawing political attention.
Campaigning for the second phase of Rajasthan's civic body elections has now formally concluded.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma conducted a high-visibility roadshow through Jaipur's walled city on Wednesday, 9 September, marking the final day of campaigning for the second phase of Rajasthan's civic body elections. The event brought the curtain down on an intensive five-day campaign blitz in which Sharma completed 10 roadshows across the state.
Route and Key Figures
The roadshow commenced around noon, shortly after Sharma offered prayers at the Hanuman Temple at Sanganeri Gate. Travelling in an open jeep, the Chief Minister was flanked by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national general secretary and civic election in-charge Harish Dwivedi, state president Madan Rathore, Jaipur MP Manju Sharma, and MLA Balmukund Acharya.
The procession moved from Sanganeri Gate through Johari Bazar and Badi Chaupar before concluding at Tripolia Gate, covering roughly one kilometre. Reception stages were arranged at Tripolia Gate for representatives of various trade associations to welcome the Chief Minister. The route was decorated with balloons, BJP flags, and posters featuring Sharma, Rathore, and Deputy Chief Ministers Diya Kumari and Premchand Bairwa.
Movement of general vehicles and city buses was restricted across several major markets in the walled city during the event, with residents, shopkeepers, and commuters advised to use alternative routes.
What the Chief Minister Said
Addressing supporters, Sharma claimed his government had eliminated the problem of 'Love Jihad' across Rajasthan, including in Jaipur. He highlighted what he described as significant achievements of his administration over the past two-and-a-half years, alleging these accomplishments had caused concern within the Indian National Congress (Congress).
Sharma accused the previous Congress-led government of pursuing a politics of 'plunder and unchecked licence,' and alleged that officials and ministers associated with that administration were now in jail. He urged voters to back the BJP in local body and panchayat elections, arguing that a BJP win would create a 'triple-engine' government — adding a third engine to the existing 'double-engine' model — and accelerate development across the state.
Trade Bodies and Temple Visits
Before the roadshow, Sharma met office-bearers of Jaipur's trade associations at the Purv-Mukhi Hanuman Mandir. Jaipur Trade Federation president Subhash Goyal, general secretary Suresh Saini, and other senior office-bearers were present at the meeting, signalling the BJP's outreach to the city's influential trader community in the run-up to polling.
A Political Subplot to Watch
BJP leader Raghunath Naredi, who was widely considered a strong contender for the mayoral post before civic election tickets were announced but was ultimately not nominated by the party, was seen actively managing arrangements on the Chief Minister's roadshow vehicle throughout the day. His prominent role has drawn political attention, with observers noting the optics of a passed-over candidate in close proximity to the state's top leader during the campaign's final hours.
What Comes Next
With Wednesday's roadshow, campaigning for the second phase of Rajasthan's civic body elections has formally concluded. Both the BJP and Congress intensified their final appeals to voters, with senior leaders focusing on local development, governance, and political performance. Polling for the second phase is set to follow, and the results will be seen as an early indicator of the BJP government's standing at the grassroots level midway through its term.
Point of View
Making the results a de facto mid-term referendum on Sharma's administration. More telling is the Naredi subplot: a publicly passed-over mayoral aspirant being given a prominent role on the CM's vehicle suggests the BJP is managing internal dissent carefully, not suppressing it — a nuance that mainstream coverage of the roadshow's optics has largely missed.
NationPress
9 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Bhajanlal Sharma's Jaipur roadshow about?
It was the final campaign event for the second phase of Rajasthan's civic body elections, held on 9 September. Chief Minister Sharma travelled through Jaipur's walled city from Sanganeri Gate to Tripolia Gate, urging voters to support the BJP and create a 'triple-engine' government.
How many roadshows did Bhajanlal Sharma hold before the civic polls?
Sharma conducted 10 roadshows across Rajasthan in the five days leading up to the campaign deadline on 9 September. The Jaipur roadshow was the culminating event of this intensive campaign blitz.
What is the 'triple-engine' government pitch by the BJP?
The BJP argues that having the party in power at the Centre, the state, and local civic bodies creates a 'triple-engine' model that accelerates development and removes bureaucratic friction. Sharma used the pitch to appeal to voters in Rajasthan's civic and panchayat elections.
Who accompanied Bhajanlal Sharma during the Jaipur roadshow?
Sharma was accompanied by BJP national general secretary and civic election in-charge Harish Dwivedi, state president Madan Rathore, Jaipur MP Manju Sharma, and MLA Balmukund Acharya, among others.
Who is Raghunath Naredi and why is his role in the roadshow significant?
Raghunath Naredi is a BJP leader who was widely considered a strong contender for the Jaipur mayoral ticket but was ultimately not nominated by the party. His active role managing arrangements on the Chief Minister's roadshow vehicle has drawn political attention, as it signals a continued, if informal, proximity to the party's top leadership despite being passed over.
