Shivraj sworn in MP CM for fourth term
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, March 23
Overcoming all political challenges and challengers, three-time Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was today unanimously elected the leader of the BJP legislature party to take charge of Madhya Pradesh for the fourth term.
BJP’s Leader of Opposition during the 15-month tenure of the Kamal Nath government, Gopal Bhargav, proposed his name at the legislature party meeting this evening. His name was officially announced by general secretary Arun Singh, who joined the meeting via video conferencing.
Later, he was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Lalji Tandon at a ceremony in the Raj Bhawan.
The BJP that came under much attack on the day Nath resigned took no chances today. The observers appointed by party president JP Nadda (Arun Singh and Madhya Pradesh incharge Vinay Sahasrabuddhe) participated though video-conference while wearing masks MLAs maintained a safe distance through the process.
The party had drawn much criticism when ignoring the coronavirus scare, supporters and party workers flocked to the state headquarters in Bhopal after Nath resigned as the CM on Friday.
In his very first address after being elected the leader of the legislature party, Chouhan said there should be no celebrations. “This is not the time to celebrate,” he said, asking cadres and supporters to not burst crackers or take to the streets. “I will take oath at a simple ceremony and today itself go to my office. To fight against coronavirus is my first priority,” Chouhan said.
Expressing gratitude to PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and party president JP Nadda for reposing faith in him, Chouhan said he would spare no effort to live up to the expectations of his party and people . “It can only happen in that BJP that a common man (like him) can reach this position,” an emotional Chouhan said.
“There will be a perceptible change in the functioning of the government and we will all work together to put the state back on the rails,” he said.
