Jaipur: Rajasthan secured key representation in BJP’s new national team, with Rajya Sabha member Satish Poonia appointed national general secretary and former chief minister Vasundhara Raje retained as national vice president in party president Nitin Nabin’s latest reshuffle Monday.Udaipur MP Mannalal Rawat was also appointed national president of BJP’s ST Morcha, while Rajesh Mangal was named national joint treasurer.While Raje’s continuation as national vice president has not been surprising considering her prolonged political and organisational experience, it is Poonia’s elevation as BJP national general secretary that puts the spotlight on BJP’s focus on OBC politics.Poonia’s appointment, after his assignment as party’s Haryana in charge, where BJP returned to power for a third consecutive term and strengthened his organisational credentials, also assumes significance in Rajasthan’s caste and electoral landscape. A tall name in the Jat community, one of Rajasthan’s largest and politically influential communities, Poonia’s elevation is likely aimed at helping the party ahead of the impending panchayat and local body polls. OBC reservation has emerged as a significant political issue in Rajasthan, with Congress alleging that BJP has reduced the number of seats reserved for OBCs.BJP also does not currently have a strong Jat leader from within its own organisational cadre. “Several Jats associated with BJP either joined from other political formations or have worked with BJP as allies. Earlier this year, BJP nominated Poonia as its Rajya Sabha candidate from Rajasthan, and he was elected unopposed,” added a BJP functionary.
