Congress Chief Ministers took oath in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh on Monday. The swearing-in ceremonies were attended by a galaxy of national leaders.
Just about two hours after he assumed office as Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Kamal Nath kept the party’s election promise to waive farm loans in the State.
“After taking charge as Chief Minister, the first file I have signed is of farm loan waiver of ₹2 lakh each, as I had promised to the farmers of the State,” Mr. Nath said.
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Veteran leader Ashok Gehlot was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, while Congress State president Sachin Pilot took oath as a Cabinet Minister.
Bhupesh Baghel was sworn in as Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh.
MLAs T. S. Singh Deo and Tamradhwaj Sahu were sworn in as Ministers.
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Mr. Baghel also announced short-term agricultural loans would be completely waived.
At around 2.30 p.m. Mr. Nath was sworn in as the 18th chief minister of Madhya Pradesh. Mr. Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Mr. Gehlot and Mr. Pilot also attended the function.
In Rajasthan, the Congress has announced that Mr. Pilot would be the Deputy Chief Minister. Governor Kalyan Singh administered the oath of office to both Mr. Gehlot and Mr. Pilot in the presence of Mr. Gandhi, Dr. Singh and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda.
Other leaders who attended the ceremony included Sharad Pawar, Sharad Yadav, N. Chandrababu Naidu, M.K. Stalin, Farooq Abdullah, Hemant Soren, Babulal Marandi, Tejashwi Yadav, Badruddin Ajmal, Navjot Singh Sidhu and H.D. Kumaraswamy.
BJP leader and former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje also made an appearance and congratulated the new incumbents, besides meeting other leaders.
Mr. Pilot, who won from the Tonk seat, sported a red ‘bandhej’ turban while taking oath.
The 41-year-old Congress leader had taken a pledge in 2014 not to wear the traditional turban until his party returned to power in the State.
Mr. Gandhi thanked the people of Rajasthan for reposing faith in the Congress and said the party would serve the State and and fulfil its responsibility.
“I congratulate the Congress workers and leaders for the success of their struggle,” he tweeted.