Chandigarh, March 1
Low back pain is holding former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee back as senior leaders of the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP)-led NDA will head for the city tomorrow morning to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the SAD-BJP government, headed by Parkash Singh Badal.
Though the Chief Ministers of most BJP-ruled states, including Gujarat and Rajasthan, are expected, last minute change in the programme of Atal Behari Vajpayee may take away some sheen from the oath-taking ceremony being held in public view.
Those who have confirmed attendance included former Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral, BJP leaders Lal Krishan Advani, Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitely and RJD (U) chief Sharad Yadav.
While the new SAD-BJP government is yet to decide on the changes in the administrative setup, one appointment of the advocate-general stood confirmed. It is not only the Chief Minister designate Parkash Singh Badal getting fourth term in office, but also Mr Hardev Singh Mattewal is set to create a record of sorts by becoming advocate-general for the fourth time.
Continuous presence of Ramesh Inder Singh and his overseeing the conduct of all ceremonies is indicative of his new assignment as the head of the administrative services of the state. No such indication is made for other key administrative positions.
Though Ramesh Inder Singh and Darbara Singh Guru are known to enjoy good working relationship, Parkash Singh Badal is yet to decide who will be his principal secretary.
Once the new government assumes office, administrative reshuffle will be set in motion. Many of the senior members of the state bureaucracy are to be redeployed in accordance with the portfolios to be given to members of the council of ministers after the swearing-in ceremony tomorrow.
The job of naming members of the council of ministers has been made easier by the voters of the state, who probably rejected old war horses and reposed their faith in slightly younger politicians. Only four of 116 legislators are 70 or above this time. Only 24 are 60 and above and rest of the 88 are below 60.
