Madan Rathore, a seasoned leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a Rajya Sabha MP, was re-elected unopposed as the president of the Rajasthan unit of the party. The event marked a significant moment for the BJP in Rajasthan, reflecting both the unity within the party and Rathore’s strong standing among its ranks. The election, overseen by former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani as the election officer, took place at the BJP state office in Jaipur, with Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and other senior leaders present to witness the occasion.
The story of Madan Rathore’s re-election begins with his nomination filing on February 21, 2025, as part of the BJP’s internal organisational elections under its "Sangathan Parv 2024" initiative. Rathore, the sole candidate for the post, submitted his nomination papers before Rupani and state election officer Narayan Panchariya. His candidacy was supported by five prominent proposers, including Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, and other key figures like former state president Arun Chaturvedi. With no other contenders emerging by the nomination deadline of 4:30 p.m. on Friday, and the withdrawal period ending at 6:00 p.m. that evening, Rathore’s unopposed election was all but assured. The formal announcement came today, solidifying his leadership for another term.
Rathore’s journey to this moment is one steeped in decades of dedication to the BJP and its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Hailing from Pali district in Rajasthan, the 70-year-old leader began his political career in the 1970s as an RSS pracharak, a role that shaped his values and commitment to grassroots organization. By the mid-1980s, he had transitioned to the BJP, steadily rising through the ranks. He served as a two-time MLA from Sumerpur constituency, winning in 2003 and 2013, both times defeating Congress heavyweight Bina Kak. During Vasundhara Raje’s tenures as Chief Minister, Rathore proved his mettle as the party’s Deputy Chief Whip in the Rajasthan Assembly from 2014 to 2018.
His appointment as Rajasthan BJP chief in July 2024, replacing C.P. Joshi, came at a critical juncture for the party. The BJP had faced a setback in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, losing 11 of Rajasthan’s 25 seats after sweeping them in 2014 and 2019. Rathore, an OBC leader from the Ghanchi community, was seen as a strategic choice to balance caste equations and reinvigorate the party ahead of crucial bypolls and local elections. His elevation to the Rajya Sabha earlier in 2024 further underscored the trust placed in him by the party high command.
The re-election on February 22 was a testament to Rathore’s ability to unify the party’s factions. Speaking to reporters outside the BJP office just before the official announcement, he emphasised this unity, saying, “Our organisation is united and will stay united… I got my values from RSS and BJP.”