Rajasthan Politics: Rush of Board and Commission Appointments Ahead of Elections

Jaipur | September 6, 2025 — With elections approaching, Rajasthan has once again witnessed a flurry of political appointments in boards and commissions. Both the current BJP government and the previous Congress regime are being accused of using these posts as a tool to woo communities and reward loyalists.

Congress Government’s Record

During the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government (2018–2023):

36 boards and commissions were created.

Only 17 had office-bearers appointed, while the rest remained vacant.

In 2022–23, just six months before the assembly elections, 26 new boards were announced. Many never received members, raising questions about whether the move was purely symbolic.

BJP Government’s Strategy

The Bhajanlal Sharma-led BJP government has also followed the same pattern.

Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the government made seven major appointments, including senior leaders C.R. Chaudhary, Jaswant Vishnoi, and Om Prakash Bhadana as board chairpersons.

Recently, former minister Arun Chaturvedi was appointed as Chairman of the Rajasthan State Finance Commission, seen as a significant political signal.

The Timing Debate

Political observers note that most appointments are made in the last two to three years of a government’s tenure, intensifying in the months leading up to polls.

Analysts describe this as Rajasthan’s “Tortoise Model”—where appointments are delayed for years, then rushed before elections.

In the present BJP government, it took 18 months to complete just 22 appointments.

Recent Administrative Moves

Beyond political appointments, the Bhajanlal Sharma cabinet has taken steps to strengthen administration:

Relaxed rules for employee promotions and compassionate appointments.

Expanded the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) to increase its capacity.

Appointed four new IAS officers, while transferring two RPS officers to APO (Awaiting Posting Orders).

Expert View

Political experts argue that while such appointments give communities a sense of representation, most boards function with limited funds and powers, making them more political tools than instruments of governance.

The Bigger Picture

Whether under Congress or BJP, Rajasthan has consistently seen a surge in board and commission appointments before elections. For parties, it is an effective electoral strategy; for citizens, it raises questions about whether these bodies serve the public or remain vehicles of political symbolism.