Munda takes oath as CM
September 15, 2010

Vijay Deo Jha | RANCHI | Nation

Arjun Munda was on Saturday sworn in as Jharkhand Chief Minister heading a BJP-JMM coalition at a simple ceremony. AJSU chief Sudesh Mahto and JMM leader Hemant Soren, son of former Chief Minister Shibu Soren, were also sworn in at the ceremony, which was earlier scheduled at 11 am was delayed by 55 minutes, considered a more auspicious time.

This was the reinstallation of a government whose two major alliance partners had parted ways only three months back and returned to the same boat under certain political arrangements.

For Hemant, it was dream come true. He was the last to be sworn in but scored a first today: the first time MLA in Jharkhand politics; one who directly rose to become number two of a Government.

The front row glittered with top BJP leaders concealing rejoice over the success of their masterstroke in forming the Government. Former party national president Rajnath Singh, national spokesperson Ravishankar Prasad, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh, Uttarakhand CM Ramesh Pokhriyal, Fagan Singh Kulaste, Rajya Sabha member MS Ahluwalia, Vijay Goel, Nitish Kumar’s deputy Sushil Modi, Karuna Shukla and many others attended the ceremony.

“After a long discussion, the BJP took this decision. We had straight talk with alliance partners. Jharkhand needs a stable Government for development. And those who try to destabilise the Government will be punished by the people,” Rajnath Singh said on the sidelines of the ceremony.

“This Government will complete its term. It has the blessings of god,” Ravishankar said.

None seemed more delighted than the jumbo size JMM and the BJP contingent, turning in large numbers. Place extreme left down the podium was exclusively marked for the relatives and wives of Munda, Sudesh and Hemant. Mira Munda, Neha Mahato and Kalpana Soren had formed a trio this afternoon greeting each other.

But the person that really attracted most interest and attention was the one that had no podium moment today - JMM boss Shibu Soren. He, of course, blessed the Government.

Later, the Munda Cabinet in its first meeting on Saturday sacked forty ad-hoc assistant engineers on the ground that their service was not “in the interest of the State.”

The new Government also announced implementation of the Sixth central Pay Commission for teachers of universities in the State. The decisions were taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arjun Munda, Chief Secretary AK Singh told mediapersons.