CHHATTISGARH: Bhupesh Baghel sworn in amid heavy rain

Against a backdrop of unity and camaraderie, Chhattisgarh Governor Anandiben Patel on Monday administered the oath of office and secrecy to Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.

Senior Congress leaders in the state TS Singh Deo and Tamradhwaj Sahu were also sworn-in as ministers at the ceremony which was scaled down in size due to intermittent rains in the state capital Raipur.

A bevy of leaders including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot and his deputy Sachin Pilot, Puducherry CM V Narayanasamy attended the ceremony held at the Balbir Singh indoor stadium

Gandhi walked up and extended his greetings to former chief minister and BJP stalwart Raman Singh who was also present on the occasion.

Baghel, third chief minister of the tribal-dominated state, now heads the first elected Congress government in Chhattisgarh since it was carved out of Madhya Pradesh in 2000.

While Ajit Jogi had helmed the first Congress government in the state, formed by virtue of larger numerical strength in the bifurcated house, Raman Singh had led the BJP to three consecutive victories in 2003, 2008 and 2013.

Credited with engineering a Congress revival, Baghel and Singh Deo led the party to victory in the recently concluded elections for the 90 member Assembly; thus bringing to an end a 15-year BJP rule in the state.

The swearing-in ceremony was scheduled to be held at the Science College Grounds before continuing showers forced the administration to shift the venue.

Amid signs of the creation of a Grand Alliance, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, LJD stalwart Sharad Yadav, senior Congress leaders Mohsina Kidwai, Motilal Vora, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Anand Sharma and Navjot Singh Sidhu were also present.

SHIFT OF VENUE

• The oath taking ceremony for the newly-elected Chhattisgarh CM was scheduled to take place at the Science College Grounds in state capital Raipur. 
   
• The administration was forced to change the venue last minute due to Balbeer Juneja Indoor Stadium in Budhatalab area in Raipur because of the heavy downpour.