After his name was proposed by former Chief Minister and now BJP Vice President Vasundhara Raje, a former state Home Minister, Kataria was unanimously chosen to the post. Kataria (74) was also elected as the leader of the BJP Legislature Party. Rajendra Rathore has been chosen as his deputy.
The Legislative Assembly election in Rajasthan was held on 7 December, 2018. The Indian National Congress came out as the single largest party of the state, winning a clear mandate by the voters and wrestling power from the Vashundhra Raje-led BJP govt which ruled the state for 5 years.