Ajit Singh sworn-in as Union Cabinet Minister

Days after Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Ajit Singh joined the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA), he was on Sunday sworn-in as union minister. He was administered the oath of office by President Pratibha Patil.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and many ministers were in attendance at the ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhawan.

The RLD has five MPs in the Lok Sabha, including Singh and his son Jayant Chaudhary.

Singh, who joined the UPA Dec 12, is likely to be made civil aviation minister.
 
The Congress admitted the RLD into the ruling alliance to improve its prospects in the coming Uttar Pradesh assembly polls as the party has influence in western parts of the state.