Badal longest reigning CM of Punjab

Chandigarh, Mar 2 (UNI) The 'grand old' man of Punjab politics and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) supremo, Parkash Singh Badal, who began his fourth term as Chief Minister of Punjab today, is the longest reigning CM of this border state.

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

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

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

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 not complete his second term as CM, as he was assassinated.

Mr Gopichand Bhargava, the first CM of Punjab after Independence and his successor Bhim Sen Sachar, both put in two terms as CM, though not at one stretch like Mr Kairon. The other person to have two terms was Justice Gurnam Singh, the first Akali to head a non-Congress government in re-organised Punjab.

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