Modi, Shah to attend oath events of new chief ministers in Bhopal, Raipur

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh chief minister-designate Mohan Yadav is scheduled to take the oath of office and secrecy here on Wednesday. At least half a dozen ministers are also likely to be sworn in by Governor Mangubhai Patel on the occasion.

The chief minister-elect of Chhattisgarh Vishnu Deo Sai is also set to take the oath in Raipur at 3 pm on Wednesday.

The swearing-in ceremonies of the chief minister-designates of the two states will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president J.P. Nadda, party sources in both states said on Tuesday.

Official sources here said that Yadav was scheduled to take the oath at around 11.30 am at Lal Parade Ground in Bhopal.

State BJP president Vishnu Dutt Sharma, accompanied by some senior party leaders on Tuesday, visited the venue to review preparations for the swearing-in ceremony of the chief minister.

Meanwhile, Mr Yadav on Tuesday called on the senior leaders of the BJP at their respective residences in Bhopal to take their "blessings and guidance" before assuming office.

He met the outgoing chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at the latter’s official residence here to "take his blessings".

Mr Yadav also paid courtesy visits to former Union minister and senior party leader Uma Bharti, former Union minister Narendra Sing Tomar, former BJP Lok Sabha member Rakesh Singh, former minister Narottam Mishra.

“I am meeting senior party leaders to seek their blessings," he said.

Mr Yadav, an OBC leader, is the surprise pick of the BJP for the post of chief minister in Madhya Pradesh.

State Congress president and former chief minister Kamal Nath also met him here on Tuesday to congratulate him for being appointed as the new chief minister of Madhya Pradesh.

“My party will play the role of a constructive opposition," Mr Nath told reporters.

Chhattisgarh chief minister-elect is also scheduled to take the oath at Raipur on Wednesday.

His swearing-in ceremony will be held at the sprawling Science College Ground in Raipur, an official spokesman for the Chhattisgarh government said.

One or two ministers are also likely to take the oath along with the chief minister.

Mr Sai has extended an invitation to all the newly elected MLAs in Chhattisgarh on the phone.

He also extended his invitation to former chief minister and senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel and state Congress president Deepak Baij on the phone on Wednesday to attend the occasion.