BJP's Saini takes oath as Haryana CM

Panchkula: After leading the BJP to victory in the Assembly election overcoming anti-incumbency challenges, Nayab Singh Saini took oath as the Chief Minister of Haryana on Thursday. This marks the party's third term with an absolute majority. The BJP had won 48 seats in the 90-seat House.

Haryana governor Bandaru Dattatreya administered the oath of office and secrecy. Hours after being unanimously elected, Saini, accompanied by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, called on Governor Dattatreya at Raj Bhawan in Chandigarh on Wednesday and staked his claim to form the government.

Saini's cabinet ministers include Ambala Cantt MLA Anil Vij, Israna MLA Krishan Lal Panwar, Badshahpur MLA Rao Narbir Singh, Tosham MLA Shruti Choudhary, Ateli MLA Arti Singh Rao and Radaur MLA Shyam Singh Rana.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his key allies attended the swearing-in ceremony at the Parade Ground in Sector 5 in Panchkula, where elaborate security arrangements had been made. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other union ministers, including Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and BJP national president J.P Nadda, also presided over the ceremony. 

All 20 Chief Ministers of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and their deputies were in attendance. This indicates a mega political gathering in the run-up to Assembly polls in Maharashtra and Jharkhand.

After the ceremony, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a half-day conclave in Chandigarh, focusing on national development issues and discussing subjects like the observance of Samvidhan Ka Amrut Mahotsav as per the BJP.