Atal, Advani likely to attend Khanduri's swearing-in ceremony

Dehra Dun, Mar 5 (UNI) BJP stalwarts Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L K Advani are likely to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Maj Gen (retd) Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri as new Chief Minister of Uttarakhand on March 8.

According to the BJP state spokesperson Dr Devendra Bhasin, the Parade Ground has been selected as the venue of the ceremony. Many senior party leaders and Chief Ministers from BJP ruled states would also attend the function which is slated to be held at 1000 hrs.

Maj Gen Khanduri was unanimously elected the leader of BJP Legislative party on March 1, after it emerged as the largest party in recently concluded Assembly election winning 34 seats out of total 69 for which election was held. It will form the government with the support of two independent candidates and three MLAs from Uttarakhand Kranti Dal.

Maj Gen Khanduri will be the fourth CM of the state.

It is not yet clear that who would be included in the 12 member cabinet in the state. Both the independent MLAs have asked for a ministerial berth for their support and UKD, on the other hand, too had sought at least one post.

UNI