Dhumal sworn in Himachal CM for second time

{image-Prem Kumar Dhumal_30122007.jpg news.oneindia.in}
Shimla, Dec 30: Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal was today sworn in as sixteenth Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh.

The 63-year-old Mr Dhumal was administered the oath of office and secrecy in state Governor V S Kokje at a ceremony at the jam-packed historic The Ridge Maidan here. Mr Dhumal took the oath in Hindi and in the name of God and was the only one to take oath today. The oath ceremony was held at the historic The Ridge Maidan for the first time amid intense slogan shouting of Bharat Mata Ki Jai and Jai Shree Ram.

The BJP leadership was present in full strength led by its Prime Ministerial candidate L K Advani and former union minister Rudra Pratap Ruddi and party's national vice president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.

Besides, Uttarakhand Chief Minister B C Khanduri and Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Badal and Rajasthan Chief Minister Viyay Raje Scindia were among the newly elected party legislators present on the occasion.

Immediately after taking oath, Mr Dhumal walked up to the leaders to receive their congratulations and greetings.

Later, he left for Delhi to take part in the Ram Setu Rally and hold discussions with the party high command for expansion of his cabinet.

He is the only BJP leader after Shanta Kumar to be the state's chief minister for a second tenure.

UNI