The new Chief Minister of Punjab Charanjit Singh Channi was sworn in today at Raj Bhavan in Chandigarh. He became the 16th Chief Minister of the state. Governor Banwarilal Purohit administered him oath of office and secrecy. Along with him, two senior MLAs Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and O. P. Soni also took the oath as Cabinet Ministers. They will be the Deputy Chief Ministers in the government. Mr Soni is a Member of Legislative Assembly from Amritsar central while Mr Randhawa is an MLA from Dera Baba Nanak.
At the last minute, the name of Brahm Mohindra was replaced by O. P. Soni. There were reports that senior Congress leader Brahm Mohindra refused to accept the post of Deputy Chief Minister.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, State Congress President Navjot Singh Sidhu, Assembly Speaker Rana K. P. Singh, Rajya Sabha Member Ambika Soni were also present on this occasion. Former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh did not attend the ceremony.
Mr Channi replaced the Captain Amarinder Singh, who had resigned from the post of Chief Minister on Saturday after being allegedly humiliated by the party.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Centre will continue to work with the Punjab Government for the betterment of the people of the state. In a message, Mr Modi congratulated Charanjit Singh Channi on being sworn-in as Punjab Chief Minister.
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