Amarinder takes oath amid chaotic scenes

PRABHJOT SINGH

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE 

CHANDIGARH, FEB 27

Capt Amarinder Singh, who was sworn in as the 21st Chief Minister of Punjab at a brief but crowded ceremony at Punjab Raj Bhavan here today, has promised to provide to the people of Punjab "transparent accountable, efficient and clean governance".

The Punjab Governor, Lt-Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd), administered the oath of office and secrecy to the Leader of the Congress Legislature Party. Dressed in white churridar pyjama and shirt and sporting a light brown turban, the Captain was profusely garlanded by an unending rush of his supporters, including party workers, leaders and legislators. He, thus, becomes the first man from the erstwhile princely family of Patiala to head the government in the state.

While the AICC observers, including Mr Moti Lal Vora, Mr Ahmed Patel and Mr Hari Prasad, left for the Union Capital before the ceremony, Mrs Ambika Soni joined other party leaders at the function. Leaders of other political parties, including the Shiromani Akali Dal, the Panthic Morcha, the Bharatiya Janata Party, the CPM, the Bahujan Samaj Party, the Bahujan Samaj Morcha and the Lok Bhalai Party were conspicuous by their absence at the ceremony.