Modi to be sworn in as CM on Dec 27, Cabinet to be formed same day

Ahmedabad, Dec 23 (UNI) Mr Narendra Modi, who has been re-elected for the third time to power with a thumping victory of 117 seats in the Gujarat Assembly elections today, will be sworn in as the Chief Minister of the state on December 27.

BJP spokesman Yamal Vyas told UNI here Mr Modi will take the oath at a function held at the Raj Bhawan in presence of Gujarat Governor Nawal Kishore Sharma on Thursday.

New Cabinet colleagues of Mr Modi will be sworn in on the same day, Mr Vyas said adding Mr Modi will maintain the small Ministry with the strength of 15 to 20 members.

''It is like that some new faces may come to be inducted in the new Gujarat Ministry... however, certain stalwarts and close associates of Mr Modi such as Vajubhai Vala, Ashok Bhatt, Amit Shah, Anandiben Patel, Saurabh Patel, Narottam Patel and Anil Patel will maintain their Cabinet status,'' he added.

Former Narmada Minister Jaynarayan Vyas, who won from Siddhpur, is likely to be inducted in the Ministry. Mr Vipul Chaudhary, chief of Milk cooperative movement, will be inducted in the Council of Ministers. Mr Chaudhary was a close associate of Union Textile Minister Shankarsinh Veghala but joined the BJP on the eve of elections.

UNI