Satish Poonia appointed president of Rajasthan BJP

Jaipur: MLA from Amber constituency in Jaipur Satish Poonia was appointed as the president of the Rajasthan BJP. Speculations about his appointment for the top organizational post in the state have been doing the rounds for the past three months. His supporters started celebrating soon after the announcement was made.

BJP national president Amit Shah announced Poonia’s appointment as the president of Rajasthan BJP. Poonia’s RSS background and caste equations worked in his favour, sources said.

The party high command started deliberations over the possible candidates for the top organizational post in the state in June after Kota MP Om Birla’s appointment as Lok Sabha Speaker. MP Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and senior leader Rajendra Rathore were other two candidates being considered for the post, sources.

The post of Rajasthan BJP president was lying vacant since the death of Madan Lal Saini. Poonia has an RSS background and has serve as general secretary four times and is currently the party’s state spokesperson. He is a prominent Jat leader in the state.

Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore was being considered for the top post as he was not given cabinet birth despite being close to PM Narendra Modi and union home minister Amit Shah. However, Poonia’s name cropped up after Gajendra Singh Shekhawat became the cabinet minister and Om Birla was made Lok Sabha Speaker.