Badal longest reigning Chief Minister of Punjab

Chandigarh, Mar 2: The 'grand old' man of Punjab politics andShiromani Akali Dal (SAD) supremo, Parkash Singh Badal, who began hisfourth term as Chief Minister of Punjab today, is the longest reigningCM of this border state.

During his three terms, Mr Badal had occupied the CM's chair foreight years, 10 months and 22 days. He first took chatge as the statehead in 1970 and then again in 1977 and 1997.

His first term lasted one year, two months and 13 days, while hissecond term lasted two years, seven months and 27 days. On both theoccasions, his ministry was dismissed by the Congress-led CentralGovernment. However, his third term lasted a full five years and 12days.

On the other hand, Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, the only woman tooccupy the CM's chair in the state, had the shortest stint. She becameCM on November 21, 1996 and was in the chair for only two months and 21days.

After Mr Badal, it was the strong man of Punjab, Partap Singh Kairon, who had the longest stint as CM of then undivided Punjab.

He remained in the chair for eight years, four months and 28 days,that is from January 23, 1956 to June 21, 1964. Mr Kairon could notcomplete his second term as CM, as he was assassinated.

Mr Gopichand Bhargava, the first CM of Punjab after Independenceand his successor Bhim Sen Sachar, both put in two terms as CM, thoughnot at one stretch like Mr Kairon. The other person to have two termswas Justice Gurnam Singh, the first Akali to head a non-Congressgovernment in re-organised Punjab.

UNI

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