Bhagwant Mann assumes office as Chief Minister. (Twitter/AAP)Bhagwant Mann’s oath-taking ceremony Highlights: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Bhagwant Mann assumed office as the 18th chief minister of Punjab at the state civil secretariat in Chandigarh. At the swearing-in ceremony at Khatkar Kalan, the ancestral village of Bhagat Singh, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supporters turned up in ‘basanti’ turbans and dupattas, the colour associated with the freedom fighter.
At the oath taking ceremony, Mann said people will visit Punjab just like they visit Delhi to see its schools and mohalla clinics. Before ending his speech with ‘Inquilab Zindabad’ and ‘Jo Bole So Nihal’, Mann quoted another verse: “Hukumat vo karte hain jinka dilon par raj hota hai, yun to kehne ko murge ke sar pe bhi taaj hota hai (The ones who rule are those who rule hearts, crowns even rest on roosters’ heads).”
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The ‘pandal’, with yellow drapes and 50,000 chairs, has been set up on 40 acres land near the Bhagat Singh memorial in the village in Nawanshahr district.
Besides newly-elected AAP MLAs, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other senior party leaders were also present at the ceremony. The Aam Aadmi Party won 92 seats in the 117-member Punjab Assembly, decimating the Congress and the SAD-BSP combine.
AAP CM face Bhagwant Mann celebrates in Sangrur. (PTI)
“Lokan ne tan bhar-bhar ke votan ditiyan, te sab ton vadh sittan jitaian. Hun sarkar ton iss tarah da hi inquilab chahida (People ushered in a revolution in Punjab by giving highest-ever seats to the Aam Aadmi Party. Now, in return, we expect the same revolution from the government through its performance).” No too far away from the stage where Bhagwant Mann took oath of office as the new Punjab CM, Jaswinder Kaur, an AAP supporter, set the bar for him and his new government.
The 51-year-old from a Jagraon village in district Ludhiana, added: “My son is a graduate and I want that government should provide him some respectable job whether it is government or private.”
She had come to attend the event along with her son.
The venue of Mann's swearing-in at Bhagat Singh's ancestral village was chock-full Wednesday not only by AAP cadre but large number of unaffiliated supporters who voted for the party in hope of a 'revolution'. Anju Agnihotri Chaba reports
At a venue brimming with ‘basanti’ turbans and dupattas, Aam Aadmi Party leader Bhagwant Mann Wednesday took oath as the 18th Chief Minister of Punjab at Khatkar Kalan, the native village of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh.
The event, where Governor Banwarilal Purohit administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mann (48), was attended by Delhi CM and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal along with members of his Cabinet. But Mann was the only one who addressed the crowd.
The usual sarcasm of political speeches missing, Mann delivered a short – less than 10 minutes – and measured speech where he told the crowd that his mission was to make Punjab the state of Bhagat Singh’s dreams. He ended his address with the slogan ‘Inquilab Zindabad’. Read More
Newly elected MLAs of AAP during the swearing-in ceremony of Bhagwant Mann as Punjab's CM at Khatkar Kalan in Nawanshahar on Wednesday.
As Bhagwant Mann took oath as the 18th chief minister of Punjab at Kahtar Kalan, the ancestral village of Shaheed Bhagat Singh in Nawanshahr, sitting among thousands of supporters, in a sea of basanti, was a beaming Mohammad Sadiq, the Congress MP from Faridkot.
On two sides of the political divide, Sadiq and Mann share a common thread — both are artiste-turned-politicians. While Mann has had a successful stint as a stand-up comic and an actor, the Congress leader is a renowned Punjabi singer.
The glee on Sadiq's face as the Aam Aadmi Party leader got up take oath.
“We have known each other since 1991 when Mann performed his stand up act for the f irst time from my stage in Chandigarh,” the Congress MP said, adding he respects Mann “like ustad (master)”. Anju Agnihotri Chaba reports
New Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann received a warm welcome at the Punjab civil secretariat during the 'guard of honour' ceremony.
Amid a sea of “basanti” turbans, the venue of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s swearing-in ceremony at Bhagat Singh’s village Khatkar Kalan reverberated with the iconic revolutionary song “Mera rang de Basanti chola” on Wednesday.
This was in line with the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) designated theme of “Rang de Basanti” for the oath ceremony — illustrating the party’s strategy of not allowing only the BJP to lay claim to nationalist iconography. Mera rang de Basanti chola was penned by Bhagat Singh’s fellow revolutionary Ram Prasad Bismil and other prisoners in 1927 while they were incarcerated in a jail in Lucknow. Read full report
Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit today administered oath to Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar as the protem Speaker of the Punjab Legislative Assembly at Raj Bhawan.
AAP leader Bhagwant Mann takes charge as Punjab Chief Minister at the state secretariat.
On the day AAP leader Bhagwant Mann was sworn in as the CM of Punjab, the Aam Aadmi Party's Twitter handle posted a picture of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh's statue, saying his "dreams would now be fulfilled".
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The son and daughter of Bhagwant Mann came to attend his swearing-in ceremony from the US. Seerat (21) and Dilshan (17) were seen sporting 'basanti' stoles
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended his congratulations to Bhagwant Mann, who was sworn in as the 18th Chief Minister of Punjab on Wednesday. "Congratulations to Shri Bhagwant Mann Ji on taking oath as Punjab CM. Will work together for the growth of Punjab and welfare of the state’s people," the PM said.
Delhi CM and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has congratulated Bhagwant Mann on becoming the CM of Punjab. On Twitter, Kejriwal wrote in Hindi, "Many many congratulations and best wishes to Bhagwant Mann on becoming the Chief Minister of Punjab. I am sure that under your leadership, prosperity will return to Punjab, there will be a lot of progress and people's problems will be solved. God is with you."
In the presence of Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit, AAP's Bhagwant Mann was sworn in as the Chief Minister.
The 48-year-old comedian-turned-politician resigned as the Lok Sabha MP from Sangrur on Tuesday. He was the lone AAP MP in the Lower House.
Promising that not a day will be wasted and work will begin today itself, Bhagwant Mann said people will visit Punjab just like they visit Delhi to see its schools and mohalla clinics. Before ending his speech with 'Inquilab Zindabad' and 'Jo Bole So Nihal', Mann quoted another verse: "Hukumat vo karte hain jinka dilon par raj hota hai, yun to kehne ko murge ke sar pe bhi taaj hota hai (The ones who rule are those who rule hearts, crowns even rest on roosters' heads)."
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said that Bhagat Singh was not just concerned about India getting its freedom but also the hands it will go into once it is free. "His concerns were valid. We are going abroad to those from whom we took our freedom. We will stay in our country and work for its betterment," he said.Launching an appeal to people to not leave the country, Mann said that solutions to all problems - from unemployment to farming to business to schools - will be found.Reciting a verse by Bhagat Singh, Mann said "It is everyone's birthright to love, why not make the soil of my nation my lover?"
In his first address after being sworn in as the Punjab CM, Bhagwant Mann said that like Bhagat Singh and other freedom fighters, the AAP is also fighting to take freedom to the people."It will take many lives to pay back the love we have got from you. We are also the government for those who didn't vote for us and we will work for them too," Mann added.
Chanting 'Jo Bole So Nihal' and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai', Bhagwant Mann thanked the people who attended the swearing-in ceremony. "Earlier, swearing-in ceremonies would be held in palaces and cricket grounds. But we have come to this village to remember those who gave us this independent nation. Freedom fighters stay in our hearts," he said.
AAP leader Bhagwant Mann takes oath as the Chief Minister of Punjab in the presence of Governor Banwarilal Purohit. At the swearing-in ceremony held at Bhagat Singh's ancestral village Khatkar Kalan, Mann ended his speech with 'Inquilab Zindabad' (long live the revolution). The slogan was then chanted by the crowds.
Punjab CM designate Bhagwant Mann and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal arrived at the swearing in venue in Bhagat Singh's ancestral village Khatkar Kalan.
Among other leaders present at the ceremony are Deputy CM of Delhi Manish Sisodia and Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai.
Congress leader Manish Tewari posted a picture of the invite sent to him for Punjab CM designate Bhagwant Mann's oath taking ceremony.
Tewari also hit out at the Congress for not inviting him to outgoing CM Charanjit Singh Channi's swearing in ceremony, a comment that comes at a time when the party is witnessing fissures within its leadership.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav congratulated Bhagwant Mann ahead of the oath-taking ceremony and hoped that Punjab will flourish under his leadership. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin too extended his wishes to Mann, adding that "Tamil Nadu and Punjab share a long history of being vocal about linguistic rights and rights of the state in the Indian Union".
Officials told PTI that foolproof 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. 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 present, he said.
Ahead of Bhagwant Mann's swearing in as Punjab CM, legendary singer Gurdas Mann said he is happy the position is going to his "laadla kalakaar" (dear artist). "The ceremony is all about pyaar and satkaar (love and respect) and the party has received overwhelming support," he told The Indian Express. Maan further told ANI that the AAP's ideology is special, adding that he prays that they get the courage to make Punjab prosperous again.
A child, who dressed up as AAP leader Bhagwant Mann on the day when Assembly election results were announced, will be attending the Punjab CM designate's oath taking ceremony in Khatkar Kalan.
Bhagwant Singh Mann, 48, a former comedian, covered the momentous journey from being a political novice to the CM face of Aam Aadmi Party Party in less than 11 years.
The two-time parliamentarian from Sangrur, who fought this assembly election from one of its segments of Dhuri, is no stranger to fandom. Born into the family of a schoolteacher at Satoj village in Sangrur, Mann had his first brush with fame at 18 when he released his maiden audio cassette while in B.Com second year at Shaheed Udham Singh Government College, Sunam. A master of social and political satire, he was soon the undisputed king of comedy in the state with long-running television shows such as Jugnu Mast Mast. Read more
Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit reaches Khatkar Kalan to administer oath to Mann.A number of singers and artist are attending the ceremony, including Gurdas Maan, Amar Noorie and singer-turned-politician Congress MP Muhammad Sadiq.
Ahead of Bhagwant Mann's swearing-in, party leader Raghav Chadha said that with the comedian-turned-politican, three crore people of Punjab will also become the CM.
The government is spending more than Rs 2 crore for the function. As many as 2,000 government-run buses have also been pressed into service to ferry participants. A public holiday has been declared in Punjab.
Mann will be administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Purohit at 12.10 pm. The ceremony will end at 12.20 pm, said a government official.After the oath-taking, Mann will address the people of the state. Mann has said that along with him, all the residents of the state will also take oath as CMs. “You all will be the Chief Ministers,” he said in a video message.Mann will assume office in the evening and will be given a guard of honour. The MLAs will be administered oath during the Vidhan Sabha session on Thursday, while Mann’s cabinet will take oath Saturday at the Punjab Raj Bhawan.
With roads expected to be clogged, Mann and Governor Banwarilal Purohit will use a chopper to reach the venue; a helipad has been set up for the purpose. Traffic will be diverted and a toll plaza en route has been asked to allow free movement.Three podiums have been set up on the stage. While the governor and Mann will be on the central podium, the second will be occupied by the Delhi CM and his cabinet, and the third by AAP MLAs.A party functionary said that the oath-taking ceremony was not organised at Raj Bhawan to convey a message that it was a “people’s function”.
A 50-acre area, created after clearing wheat crops, will be used as a parking space for an expected 25,000 vehicles.
The incoming government has not invited any VVIP for the oath-taking ceremony, which has been given the theme of “Rang De Basanti”. This song was written by Pt Ram Prasad Bismil and his friends, but it is said that it was sung by the prisoners when Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were hanged.
“Our VVIPs are people of the state. We have appealed to them to come in huge numbers. They are our guests,” said Harpal Cheema, AAP MLA and former Leader of Opposition.
Khatkar Kalan will be all yellow today. As Bhagwant Mann prepares to take oath as Punjab’s 18th Chief Minister at Bhagat Singh’s village, AAP has asked people to turn up in ‘basanti’ turbans and dupattas at a venue that prominently showcases this colour — one commonly associated with the freedom fighter.The ‘pandal’, with yellow drapes and 50,000 chairs, has been set up on 40 acres near the Bhagat Singh memorial in the village in Nawanshahr district. A government official said at least 4 lakh people, the expected turnout, can sit on the chairs and the ground.AAP says “they will all take oath” as chief ministers along with Mann in a 10-minute ceremony.
Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal left for Punjab to attend the swearing-in ceremony of chief minister-designate Bhagwant Mann.
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.
"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. (PTI)
Ahead of the swearing-in ceremony in Khatkar Kalan, AAP's Bhagwant Mann said the whole of Punjab will be taking the oath today "to realise the dreams of Bhagat Singh and Baba Saheb (Ambedkar)".
Ashok Kumar Sharma, 68, is cycling from Kharar to Khatkar Kalan, a distance of 80 km, to reach the venue where AAP's Bhagwant Mann will be sworn in as the 18th Chief Minister of Punjab.He started from Kharar at 4 am, wearing a T-shirt bearing the oath that Mann will be taking.
As posters of 'Dhanwaad Punjab' (thank you Punjab) dotted the countryside, supporters of AAP wore yellow turbans and dupattas and made way to Bhagwant Mann's swearing-in ceremony, expected to be attended by over four lakh people.
Meanwhile, langars were organised in many parts of Punjab. At one of the services in Ropar, people were being served tea and jalebi.
When Bhagwant Mann takes oath as the 18th chief minister of Punjab on Wednesday, life would’ve come a full circle for the Aam Aadmi Party leader who once played an ‘aam aadmi’ on screen who took on politicians flush with money and muscle power and went on to rule the state by decimating them.
A stand-up comic-turned-politician Mann, who had been elected to the Lok Sabha only a year ago, in 2015 had written Punjabi film ‘22G Tussi Ghaint ho’ (Brother you are great). The film was a satire on the state’s political system and had tried to show a path of unique politics where an election is won without spending money like water. Read more
Ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of Punjab’s CM designate Bhagwant Mann, both his children Seerat Kaur Manna (21) and Dilshan Manna (17) are scheduled to attend the event at Khatkar Kalan on Wednesday. They have flown all the way from the United States to attend the ceremony, their mother and Mann’s ex-wife Inderpreet Kaur informed The Indian Express.
Bhagwant Mann and Inderpreet Kaur had separated back in 2015 after which the couple’s children, Seerat Kaur Mann (21) and Dilshan Mann (17), shifted to the US with their mother. Read more
More than half of the winning candidates in the recent elections to the 117-member Punjab Assembly are aged between 25 and 50 years, which include the AAP leader and Chief Minister-designate, Bhagwant Singh Mann, 48.
The youngest member of the 16th Punjab Assembly is 27-year-old Narinder Kaur Bharaj, who completed her LLB from Bhai Gurdas College of Law (under Punjabi University) in Sangrur.
According to the affidavits filed as part of their nomination papers by the candidates before the Election Commission, there are 61 newly-elected legislators (52%) aged between 25 and 50 years. Read more
Bhagat Singh will be at the centre stage of the Aam Aadmi Party’s mammoth oath-taking ceremony at the martyr’s ancestral village of Khatkar Kalan on Wednesday.
Wear basanti turbans and dupattas, CM-designate Bhagwant Singh Mann has requested — the colour is associated with the martyr — as he called upon people to join his government in making “Bhagat Singh’s dream” come true. Read more
Punjab Chief Minister-designate Bhagwant Mann Monday tendered his resignation as Lok Sabha MP from Sangrur.
Mann, who won the Punjab Assembly elections from Dhuri, handed over the resignation letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. He was the lone AAP MP in the Lok Sabha.
Earlier, MPs from Punjab and Haryana, cutting across party lines gathered around Mann as he reached the House to submit his resignation. Read more
Top AAP leaders and hundreds of party volunteers from across Punjab descended on Amristar Sunday as the party romped home winning 92 seats in the 117-member Punjab Assembly, decimating the Congress and the SAD-BSP combine. Led by CM-designate Bhagwant Mann and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, the road show took the BRTS lane, but crowd spilled to other lanes as the victory march progressed.
In his short speech during the road show, Kejriwal said, “Tusi kamaal kar ditta. I love you, Punjab. The whole world is talking about you." Read more