Punjab Newspaper

Punjab today got a Deputy Chief Minister in Sukhbir Singh Badal, a rare occasion in Indian politics when a father son duo are occupying the top positions in a state. The new deputy chief minister was administered oath of office at Amritsar today by the Punjab Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S F Rodrigues. There is no provision of the post of deputy chief minister in the constitution.


The function was a show of strength organized by the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal with thousands of people being ferried from all across the state. Leaders from other states including former chief ministers of the state of Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana, Farooq Abdullah and Om Prakash Chatuala respectively also attending the function. Former Union minister for environment Maneka Gandhi also attended the inauguration.
The venue of Amritsar was politically important since Sukhbir is expected to contest elections from a constituency falling in Amritsar district during the next six months.
Badal said that he had purposely chosen the holy city of Amritsar for his swearing in ceremony “as this is this the place from where generation after generation had drawn inspiration for selfless service and commitment to the welfare of the people. ” I start with the divine blessings of the great Gurus and I pray that the Almighty may give me strength to prove myself equal to the honour given to me,” he said. Later addressing a press conference at Amritsar, Sukhbir outlined a seven point agenda for governance.