New Delhi: Congress rule returned in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhatisgarh on Monday as Kamal Nath, Ashok Gehlot and Bhupesh Baghel were sworn in as the chief ministers of these states respectively.
The opposition lapped up the opportunity as senior leaders and non-BJP ruled states chief ministers converged at the state capitals to put a united show of strength.
The Lok Sabha polls are due in another four-five months and the victory for Congress in these crucial state has re-energised not only the grand old party but has rekindled hopes for the Opposition to dislodge the ruling-BJP at the centre.
TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, seen a rallying force behind the opposition unity, however, remained absent and instead deputed senior party leader Dinesh Trivedi for attending the swearing in functions. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and BSP supremo Mayawati too remained conspicuous by their absence, though they are extended support to the Congress governments both in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi attended swearing-in function in all the three states.
The day kicked-off in Jaipur, Rajasthan where senior leaders from the opposition camp including NCP’s Sharad Pawar, JD(S)’s Deve Gowda, Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav also attended Ashok Gehlot’s oath taking ceremony. Congress president Rahul Gandhi attended the swearing-in in as well along with former prime minister Manmohan Singh, leader of opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and other senior Congress functionaries. Outgoing chief minister BJP’s Vasundhara Raje also attended the event.
In Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, TDP leader and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister attended the Kamal Nath’s swearing-in along with Kumarasway, National Conference President Farooq Abdullah, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, former JDU leader Sharad Yadav, former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah among others.
The opposition leaders also descended at Raipur, Chhatisgarh later in the evening to attend Baghel’s swearing in. They included Abdullah and Yadav. Newly sworn-in Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also attended the event. The event was delayed because of the incessant rain in the city.
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