NEW DELHI: Nayab Singh Saini took the oath as chief minister of Haryana on Thursday. The ceremony in Panchkula saw high-profile attendees, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Saini took his chief ministerial oath in Hindi.
Other officials who took the oath include Ambala Cantt MLA Anil Vij, Israna MLA Krishan Lal Panwar, Badshahpur MLA Rao Narbir Singh, Tosham MLA Shruti Chaudhary, Ateli MLA Arti Singh Rao, and Radaur MLA Shyam Singh Rana, all administered by Haryana governor Bandaru Dattatreya.
The swearing-in coincided with Valmiki Jayanti. Valmiki, the sage-poet of the Hindu epic Ramayana, is revered especially among Dalits.
Numerous NDA leaders, such as the chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, and Andhra Pradesh, BJP president J P Nadda, and Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah, attended the event.
Earlier in the day, Saini visited Valmiki Bhawan, a gurdwara, and Mansa Devi temple in Panchkula for prayers. Speaking to reporters, Saini emphasised that the new government aims to propel Haryana forward under PM Modi‘s leadership. He affirmed the government’s commitment to fulfilling their election promises.
“Look at our 2014 Sankalp Patra and 2019 Sankalp Patra, we implemented them completely and now this Sankalp Patra will also be implemented by our government,” Saini said.
In Haryana’s recent assembly polls, BJP secured a historic third term, winning 48 out of 90 seats, with support from three Independent MLAs, including Hisar MLA Savitri Jindal.
Saini, 54, was chosen unanimously as BJP’s legislature party leader. Unlike traditional practice, the BJP announced Saini as the chief minister candidate before the election.
Saini succeeded Manohar Lal Khattar in March and won the Ladwa assembly seat in Kurukshetra district by a margin of 16,054 votes.