Rajasthan: 30 yrs in politics, 30+ beat him to the game

It was in the winter of January 1984 when Ashok Chandna was born in Bundi. Barely a month before his birth, at the other end of Rajasthan, Barmer, where unlike the water-fed Bundi securing a bucketful of water was an everyday struggle, sent Hemaram Choudhary to the Rajasthan assembly as its representative. 

The humble leader of the Jat community carries more than 3 decades of public service under his belt since he first stepped inside the House in 1983 as MLA from Gudhamalani.

Chandna, who is barely 34, is now a two-time MLA and has been inducted as a minister in the Ashok Gehlot government. Choudhary who has won Gudhamalani for the 6th time and has served in capacity of a minister in earlier stints is out of the secretariat, the seat of power in Rajasthan. 

Chandna won last time from Hindoli when Congress was decimated in Rajasthan.  This time due to the power-sharing formula worked out between chief minister Ashok Gehlot and deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot, several leaders with years of legislative experience have made way for many young and relatively inexperienced faces in the cabinet of Gehlot government. 

The case of 70-year-old  Choudhary is just one among the many. The council this time is a mix of experienced hands and fresh faces resulting in the premature exit of several of the former members of Team Gehlot. 

From Barmer, this time, Harish Choudhary has been made minister. The 48-year old legislator is former MP of Barmer and will be entering the assembly for the first time after winning the assembly elections from Baytoo.

Another senior leader Rajendra Pareek from Sikar has failed to enter Gehlot’s ministry. Pareek has been an MLA in the 9th, 10th, 11th and 13th Assembly. He lost the last elections in 2013 and has won this time from Sikar making him 4th-time MLA. He has served as the industries minister in last Gehlot government. 

 Leaders like Dr CP Joshi who has vast legislative experience and has also served in Manmohan Singh cabinet helming important ministries like highways and railways has been dropped from Gehlot cabinet.

Mahesh Joshi, who has earlier been MLA from Jaipur and thereafter also became the Lok Sabha member too didn’t find a place among the Cabinet peers.

On the other hand, Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, finds himself seated amongst Gehlot’s coterie. He would be entering the Cabinet for the first time, with Pilot batting for him.  

Who Moved My Cheese? 

While sun sets on the career of several politicians despite their poll wins, lady luck smiles on the young and restless

Chandna, who is barely 34, is now a two-time MLA and has been inducted as a minister in the Ashok Gehlot government. Chandna won last time from Hindoli when Congress was decimated in Rajasthan. From Barmer, Harish Choudhary has been made minister. The 48-yearold legislator will be entering the assembly for the first time after winning the elections from Baytoo, Barmer.

Hemaram Choudhary who has won Gudhamalani for the 6th time  and has served in capacity of a minister in earlier stints is out of the secretariat, the seat of power in Rajasthan. Another senior leader Rajendra Pareek from Sikar has failed to enter Gehlot’s ministry. Pareek, former industries minister, lost the polls in 2013 and has won this time from Sikar making him 4th-time MLA.