Saini sworn in as Haryana CM, 13 others take oath as ministers

BJP PUTS UP A SHOW OF STRENGTH AND NDA UNITY | THIS TEAM IS A WONDERFUL MIX OF GOOD GOVERNANCE AND EXPERIENCE, SAYS PM MODI

- SWATI MAHAJAN

Nayab Singh Saini on Thursday took oath as the chief minister of Haryana for the second time at a ceremony in Panchkula attended by a galaxy of NDA leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and thousands of people from across the state. Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya administered the oath of office and secrecy to Saini, who became the chief minister for the second time, at Dussehra ground here. Saini took oath in Hindi.

Significantly, the BJP chose the Valmiki Jayanti as the day for the swearing-in ceremony. Sage-poet Valmiki is the author of the Hindu epic Ramayana and a revered figure, especially among Dalits. Saini has emerged as an OBC leader of the BJP from Haryana. Ambala Cantt MLA and senior most party leader Anil Vij, Israna MLA Krishan Lal Panwar, Badshahpur MLA and Ahir leader Rao Narbir Singh, Panipat Rural MLA and Jat leader Mahipal Dhanda, Faridabad MLA Vipul Goel, Gohana MLA Arvind Sharma, Radaur MLA Shyam Singh Rana, Barwala MLA Ranbir Gangwa and Narwana legislator Kumar Bedi took oath as ministers.