Raje finds space for all

While Gulab Chand Kataria represents the Jains, Ghanshyam Tiwari represents the Brahmins, Narpat Singh Rajvi the Rajputs, Sanwarlal Jat the Jats and Madanlal Dilawar the scheduled caste.

The tribal belts, which voted in favour of the BJP for the first time, is represented by Dr Kirori Lal Meena and Kanakmal Katara. BJP’s sole Muslim winner, first-timer Yunus Khan, also found a berth in the Cabinet.

Governor Kailashpati Mishra administered the swearing-in of another first-timer, Prabhulal Saini.

He represents the Mali community and his inclusion is seen as a representation of the other backward class communities.

Of the new ministers, Kataria, Tiwari, Dilawer and Jat have served as ministers in Bhairon Singh Shekhawat’s government.

A Cabinet expansion is expected soon, with all regions of the state getting ample representation.

As an aircraft showered rose petals on the crowd, Raje addressed her first public meeting as chief minister. Thanking the people for their support, she reassured them that they would be stakeholders in her government.

The ceremony took place in the presence of senior BJP leaders Jaswant Singh, Pramod Mahajan, Venkaiah Naidu, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Rajnath Singh, Sahib Singh Verma, Rajya Sabha MP Dara Singh, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.

Watching from the sidelines were former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, Congress MLAs Shiv Charan Mathur and Jaganath Pahadiya.

The Royals were present too, led by former Jaipur Maharaja Bhawani Singh.

The entourage included Raje’s son and daughter-in-law. Also present to give his blessings was Swami Vidyanand, priest from the Gwalior Royal family.