Dhumal sworn in as Himachal chief minister for the second time

Shimla: Prem Kumar Dhumal took oath as the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh for the second time here yesterday in the presence of top leaders of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Dhumal was administered the oath of office and secrecy by state Governor V.S. Kokje at the sprawling Ridge ground in the heart of Shimla. Those present included former deputy prime minister L.K.Advani, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Bhuwan Chand Khanduri and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

'Better government'

Also present were BJP vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and spokesman Rajiv Pratap Rudi besides senior state BJP leader Shanta Kumar.

Before being sworn-in, Dhumal told reporters: "We will provide a far better government to the state in the coming year and the next five years."

Dhumal, 63, has earlier served as the chief minister of the state from 1998 to 2003. Dhumal was the only person to be sworn in yesterday. Members of his cabinet are likely to take oath at a later date, party sources said.

The BJP swept to power in the state on Friday, winning 41 seats in the assembly elections. The outgoing Congress only managed 23.