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Shekhawat was Rajasthan's only non-Congress CM

In tenures that have spanned decades to those that lasted a mere two weeks, chief ministers of Rajasthan have had varied innings.

The late Mohanlal Sukhadia had the distinction of holding the coveted post for the longest period of 17 years, while Congress leader Heera Lal Deopura was in office for just a fortnight.

While Congress stalwart Sukhadia was chief minister from November 13, 1954, to July 8, 1971, Deopura held the post for a fortnight till March 10, 1985.

Heera Lal Shastri was the first elected chief minister of the state, and held the office between April 7, 1949, and January 5, 1951.

When circumstances forced Shastri to resign, he handed over charge to the then Indian Civil Service officer C S Venkatachari, who was in office from January 5, 1951 to April 26,1951.

Narain Vyas replaced Venkatachari and managed the chair till March 3, 1952. He held the chief ministership for the second time, from November 1952 for two years.

Tikaram Paliwal also held the post for a brief period of about eight months.

Barkatullah succeeded Sukhadia and continued till October 11, 1973.

Another strongman, Hardeo Joshi was chief minister for three separate terms, the first time from October 1973 to April 29, 1977. The next time he held the post from March 10, 1985 and continued till January 20,1988. He became the chief minister for the third time on December 4, 1989, and remained in the chair till March 1, 1990.

Shiv Charan Mathur held the chief ministership for about six years in two separate tenures -- in 1981 and in 1988.

Jagannath Pahadia held the chief ministership for more than one year from June 6,1980, to July 13,1981.

The first non-Congress minister, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat came to power as the Janata Party nominee on June 22,1977 and continued till February 16, 1980.

Shekhawat returned to the seat from March 4, 1990, to December 6,1992, and the third time on December 4, 1993, before losing to his rival Congress leader, Ashok Gehlot.

UNI

Assembly Election '98

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