Parkash Singh Badal sworn in as Chief Minister for the fourth time

Shiromani Akali Dal chief Parkash Singh Badal was sworn in as Chief Minister for the fourth time amid chants of “Bole so nihal” and bursting of crackers at a well-attended but disorganised ceremony at PCA Stadium here today.

The Badal-led SAD-BJP combine set a record of sorts with all 17 ministers — 12 from SAD and five from the BJP — in the Cabinet rank. There is no minister of state.

The swearing-in ceremony was boycotted by Congress MLAs. None of the 44 MLAs turned up. Nor did former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh.

Badal, the 17th Chief Minister of the state, was administered the oath of secrecy and office by Governor Gen S.F. Rodrigues (retd) at 1.35 pm, but before that he had to ask the youth to maintain silence to allow the proceedings to go on.