Uttarakhand CM-designate Pushkar Singh Dhami was sworn in as the chief minister of the state on the evening of Sunday, 4 July. The ceremony took place at a programme in Raj Bhawan, Dehradun.
Soon after the ceremony, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi took to twitter to congratulate Dhami and others who took oath on Sunday.
"Congratulations to Shri Pushkar Dhami and all others who took oath today. Best wishes to this team as they work towards the progress and prosperity of Uttarakhand."PM Narendra Modi
Dhami, 45, dubbed the youngest CM in India, said at the ceremony that he understands the woes triggered by COVID that are plaguing the youth, and that he plans to appoint "youngsters" in vacant positions.
"I have been working among youngsters and I understand the issues very well. COVID has impacted their livelihood. We will try to make the situation better for them and will try to appoint youngsters for the vacant posts in the State."Pushkar Singh Dhami
Dhami's selection as the new chief minister comes after incumbent CM Tirath Singh Rawat submitted his resignation late on Friday.
What Else Did New CM Dhami Say?
Dhami also pointed out that he is "younger (than others) in age" and said:
"For my party, which has given me this opportunity, it is my duty to keep younger and older members together and take the party and the state's work forward."
"I will try my best to meet the expectations of the party, which has chosen me to serve the people of Uttarakhand."Pushkar Singh Dhami
Who Else Was Sworn In?
Along with Pushkar Singh Dhami's swearing in as the CM, the following BJP leaders were also sworn in to the new cabinet of Uttarakhand:
Bishan Singh Chuphal
Subodh Uniyal
Arvind Pandey
Ganesh Joshi
Dhan Singh Rawat
Rekha Arya
Yatishwaran
More Details
As per ANI, Uttarakhand ministers Satpal Maharaj, Harak Singh Rawat, and other BJP leaders attended the swearing-in ceremony.
Dhami was appointed as the state's BJP's legislature party leader on Saturday.
Further, on Sunday, hours before his swearing in ceremony, Dhami met former Uttarakhand chief ministers Tirath Singh Rawat and Trivendra Singh Rawat. Dhami also, reportedly, met state minister Satpal Maharaj at the latter's residence in Dehradun.
On Reports of Displeasure Over Dhami's Selection
Meanwhile, rubbishing reports of displeasure in the party over the choice of Dhami as the Uttarakhand CM, BJP's Bansidhar Bhagat was quoted by ANI as saying:
"I read somewhere that 35 MLAs reached Delhi, please tell me who are these MLAs? These (reports) are mere rumours, our leaders stand firmly with the party."
BJP MLA Dhan Singh Rawat, on his part, was quoted as saying: "Everyone is happy in Uttarakhand with this decision. Today, only CM (Pushkar Singh Dhami) will take the oath."
Who is Pushkar Singh Dhami?
Dhami was born in a small village in Pithoragarh district. His father used to serve in the army.
He finished his early education in the village and went to Lucknow University for higher studies.
According to Hindustan Times, Dhami, who is an advocate by profession and an MLA from the Khatima constituency of Udham Singh Nagar district, has not held a ministerial position in the state cabinet.
However, he has a strong hold over the youth of the state, having been the chief of the party's Uttarakhand youth wing – the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha – from 2002 to 2006.
He has also been the vice-president of the Uttarakhand BJP in the past.
Dhami is considered to be close to Bhagat Singh Koshyari, a former Uttarakhand chief minister and now the Governor of Maharashtra and Goa. He was previously an advisor to Koshyari when the latter was the CM.
(With inputs from ANI)
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