Centre's Sudden Move Sparks Political Storm in Rajasthan
In a development that has sent shockwaves through Rajasthan's political circles, the Central government has abruptly recalled Chief Secretary Sudhansh Pant from his position. The sudden transfer order came on November 10, 2025, relocating Pant to Delhi as Secretary in the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
This unexpected move has intensified speculation about growing tensions between the Chief Secretary and Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma's office. Pant, a 1991-batch IAS officer of the Rajasthan cadre, had been strategically placed by the Centre to lead the state's bureaucracy following the BJP's victory in the 2023 Assembly elections.
The Backstory: An Experiment in Governance
The political context makes this transfer particularly significant. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, a first-time MLA, represented the BJP central leadership's experiment to break from the 25-year tradition of either Ashok Gehlot or Vasundhara Raje leading the state. Pant was seen as the key administrative anchor for this unconventional arrangement.
Pant assumed the role of Chief Secretary on January 1, 2024, after being repatriated from central deputation. His retirement was scheduled for February 2027, making this transfer months before his planned departure particularly noteworthy.
During the early days of the Sharma government, political observers noted that Pant appeared to be "running" the administration, which created embarrassment for the BJP dispensation. The Congress opposition frequently accused the government of being micro-managed by the Centre through bureaucrats like Pant.
Growing Tensions and Power Struggles
According to party sources, the unique situation created two competing power centres within the state administration. Unlike previous BJP chief ministers who had substantial political experience, Sharma's government was perceived as relying heavily on bureaucratic expertise while finding its footing.
"This situation was exacerbated by the Sharma government wanting to change the perception that the CMO (Chief Minister's Office) is calling the shots, not the Chief Secretary," revealed sources familiar with the matter.
The tension manifested in several ways that indicated Pant's diminishing influence:
- Key state matters increasingly bypassed the Chief Secretary
- Important files were reportedly routed directly through the CMO against established protocol
- Several transfer decisions were approved without Pant's concurrence
Another significant incident that strained relations was the transfer of IAS officer Alok Gupta in June 2025. Gupta, considered close to Pant, was moved from his position as CM's Principal Secretary to the Industries Department.
Pant's Central Government Experience
Sudhansh Pant is no stranger to central government postings. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, he was called to Delhi and posted in the Ministry of Health. His central deputation experience continued between December 2022 and December 2023, where he served in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and later in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Pant's extensive background in central administration and his proven administrative skills made him an ideal candidate to bridge the gap between the BJP leadership in Delhi and the inexperienced state government in Jaipur.
Immediate Aftermath and Replacement
Following Pant's recall, the Sharma government has appointed V Srinivas as the new Chief Secretary. Srinivas had been on central deputation since December 2018, bringing his own experience to the crucial administrative position.
Pant is set to assume charge in the Union ministry, replacing Amit Yadav who is retiring on November 30. The timing of this transfer, coupled with the background of increasing friction between the Chief Secretary and the Chief Minister's office, has political analysts viewing this as more than a routine bureaucratic reshuffle.
The recall has also highlighted broader concerns within the BJP, where some legislators had accused the government of relying too heavily on bureaucrats while ignoring elected representatives and party workers. This development signals a significant shift in the power dynamics within Rajasthan's first-time MLA-led government and may redefine the relationship between the state administration and the central BJP leadership.
