Parkash Singh Badal will be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Punjab today.
Badal was unanimously elected leader of the Akali Dal-BJP alliance at a meeting at the Punjab Bhawan here yesterday. All-India BJP vice-president and former Delhi Chief Minister Madan lal Khurana was also present at the meeting.
Hundreds of workers of the two parties, besides the newly elected legislators thronged the Punjab Bhawan all smiles. Badal looked cheerful and relaxed.
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The swearing in will take place at the famous Punjab Cricket Association stadium at Mohali, a new industrial township near Chandigarh.
It would be the first swearing in outside the Punjab Raj Bhawan. According to official sources, both the Akali as well as the BJP leadership are keen that a large number of party workers should witness the swearing in of the new government.
Indications are that five ministers, including Badal will take oath today. Speculation is rife that Balramji Dass Tondon, state unit president of the BJP and the newly elected MLA from Rajpura, will be sworn in as deputy Chief Minister.
Khurana, however, told media persons here yesterday that his party would not press the Akalis for including Tandon as deputy Chief Minister.
Khurana remarked: We are leaving everything to Akalis, who are our friends. We are not asking for anything. indications are that three Akalis, including Badal, and two members of the BJP, will take oath. The state capital witnessed hectic political activity yesterday with different political parties holding meetings and parleys.
Earlier, during the day, Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal presided over her last cabinet meeting and decided to submit her resignation to the state Governor B K N Chibber.