Badal sworn in as Punjab Chief Minister

Mohali, Mar 2 (UNI) Shiromani Akali Dal President Parkash Singh Badal was sworn in as the 15th Chief Minister of Punjab today, taking up the reins of the state he has ruled the longest, for a fourth time.

State Governor S F Rodrigues administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr Badal amid cheering and applause at an impressive ceremony held at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium here, teeming with dignitaries and SAD-BJP supporters. In a public message Mr Badal had invited the people of Punjab to attend the function and extend ''their support to create a prosperous and progressive Punjab and fulfil the dreams of Guru sahibans, rishi munis and Sufi saints.'' The SAD patriarch took the oath in Punjabi to begin his fourth term as Chief Minister today. During his earlier three stints, he has spent a total of eight years, 10 months and 22 days at the top political post in the border state. Mr Badal first became CM in 1970, again in 1977 and then in 1997.

The jubilant SAD-BJP supporters, wearing turbans in deep blue, associated with the Akali Dal and also sported by Mr Badal, and in saffron, the BJP's favourite, presented a bright scene under a clear, sunny sky.

As the Chief Secretary K R Lakhanpal announced the name of the octaganarian leader, inviting him to come to the mike to take the oath, the stadium reverbrated with the shouts of ''Bole so Nihal...'' ''Badal Zindabad'' and ''Badal Amar Rahe...'' UNI