Jaipur: With urban local body and panchayat elections on the horizon, long-awaited political appointments in the state are expected to gather pace as BJP seeks to balance regional and social representation while accommodating party leaders awaiting key assignments.Despite being in power for more than two-and-a-half years, the ruling party has made only a limited number of major political appointments so far, leaving more than 50 key positions vacant across boards, corporations, commissions, academies and other state-run bodies.Party insiders said the appointment exercise, which has remained pending for months, is now gaining momentum and could see a significant number of announcements before the election process begins. A senior BJP member said, “Recently, BJP state president Madan Rathore indicated that appointments are likely to be announced soon. Around 25 appointments to boards, corporations and commissions are expected over the next three to four months. Discussions on several names have already taken place at the organisational level and a review of potential candidates is underway.”The appointments are expected to carry considerable political significance, offering the party an opportunity to reward organisational workers and senior leaders while ensuring representation across different regions and social groups.Since the BJP formed the govt, only 12 major political appointments have been made. These include appointments to bodies such as the Heritage Development Authority, Farmers Commission, Devnarayan Board, State Finance Commission, Human Rights Commission and the Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education.“Appointments to the posts of Chief Information Commissioner and Chairman of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission could be made this month itself,” the source added.The pending appointments span a wide range of institutions, including commissions dealing with women, children, minorities, senior citizens and persons with disabilities, as well as boards and advisory bodies linked to social welfare, rural development and public grievance redressal.Another party functionary said the exercise extends beyond welfare commissions and includes key organisations connected with tourism, housing, sports, youth affairs, agriculture and cultural promotion. “Appointments are also awaited in several development boards, academies and statutory bodies. The exercise in Urban Improvement Trusts and the Rajasthan Housing Board remains to be completed,” the party member said.
