Bhagwant Mann takes oath as Punjab CM, says 'I am also CM for those who haven't voted AAP'

Rajnath Singh congratulates Bhagwant Mann. 

The birth of Aam Aadmi Party is because of the deceit they did during Anna Hazare's agitation in Delhi. People of Punjab have selected them, let's see if they are able to fulfill their promises in the coming years or they fail to do so: Haryana Minister Anil Vij

I appeal to you all ( newly-elected MLAs) to not get arrogant. We have to respect even those who didn't vote for us. I thank you all & AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann

From a comedian to the chief minister-designate of Punjab, Bhagwant Mann has come a long way in a political career of just over a decade. Before his legislative assembly debut this time, he has been elected twice as a Member of Parliament from Sangrur. And weeks before the Punjab election, the Aam Aadmi Party declared him its CM face after a phone-in poll, called “Janta Chunegi Apna CM” (people will pick their own CM). FULL STORY 

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wished AAP's Bhagwant Mann ahead of the oath-taking ceremony. Wishing the new government a successful tenure, Stalin said that Tamil Nadu and Punjab share a long history of being vocal about linguistic rights and rights of the state in the Indian Union. 

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday left for Punjab to attend the swearing-in ceremony of chief minister-designate Bhagwant Mann. "It's a big day for Punjab today. In this golden morning of new hope, the entire Punjab will today come together and take a pledge to make it a prosperous Punjab. To witness that historic moment, I have also left for Khatkar Kalan, the native village of Shaheed Bhagat Singh," Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi.

Aam Aadmi Party supporters in large numbers from several places of the state started reaching Khatkar Kalan Wednesday morning to attend the oath-taking ceremony. The men were wearing yellow turbans while women were draped in a yellow 'dupatta'.

Ahead of being sworn-in as Punjab chief minister on Wednesday, AAP leader Bhagwant Mann said the entire state will be taking oath to fulfil the dreams of Bhagat Singh and Babasaheb Ambedkar. Mann in a tweet in Punjabi said, "The golden ray of sun has brought a new dawn today. To fulfil the dreams of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Babasaheb (B R Ambedkar), the whole Punjab will take oath today at Khatkar Kalan."

The district administration has announced a school holiday on March 16 in view of huge gathering expected for the swearing-in ceremony. Civil Surgeon Davinder Dhanda said services of health staff of adjoining 10 districts and nearly 30 ambulances would be deployed to meet any health emergencies. Twelve first-aid teams would also be there to provide emergency first-aid, he said.

Officials said full-proof security arrangements have been made for the ceremony and several senior officials, including Inspector General and Senior Superintendent Police rank officers, have been deputed for the event. Around 8,000 to 10,000 security personnel have been deployed for the event, said the officials.

Bhagwant Mann won the Punjab Vidhan Sabha elections from the Dhuri constituency by a margin of 58,206 votes over Congress' Dalvir Singh Goldy. Mann was announced as AAP's chief ministerial candidate on January 18 this year . AAP claimed the decision was taken after the party conducted phone polls to decide the CM candidate.

Mann, the Chief Minister-designate, had invited the people of the state to attend his oath-taking ceremony, saying it’s not he alone, but 3 crore people of Punjab will also take oath with him. He had also urged men to wear 'basanti' (yellow) colour turbans and women to wear basanti 'dupatta'.

Officials are expecting over 3 lakh people to attend the event. According to the Aam Aadmi Party's claim, nearly 4 lakh people from different parts of the state will attend the event today.

The Punjab cabinet can have 18 ministers including the Chief Minister. Mann will take oath alone today. The new ministers will be administered oath after Holi. 

Family members and those who are close to Chief Minister-designate Bhagwant Mann have been invited to the oath-taking ceremony, besides several artists from Punjab.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other senior party leaders will take part in the swearing-in ceremony. An area of nearly 100 acres is being used for the ceremony. Similarly, no Union Minister or any big leader of the national level has been invited for this oath-taking ceremony. Only AAP leaders and local leaders of Punjab will be present at the swearing-in ceremony.

The Aam Aadmi Party romped home winning 92 seats in the 117-member Punjab Assembly, decimating the Congress and the SAD-BSP combine. The Congress secured 18 votes.

Elaborate arrangements have been made for Mann's oath-taking ceremony at Khatkar Kalan -- ancestral village of legendary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh in Shaheed Bhagat Singh (SBS) Nagar district. Mann will take oath alone on Wednesday. 

Bhagwant Mann will take oath as the chief minister of Punjab on March 16 at Khatkar Kalan, the ancestral village of iconic freedom fighter Bhagat Singh,