SHIMLA, June 9: Four newly-elected BJP-HVC MLAs, three of them from the tribal belt, were administered oath by Speaker Gulab Singh Thakur here today at a simple function in the state Assembly complex.The MLAs administered oath included Chet Ram Negi, who was elected from Kinnaur, Tulsi Ram, Bharmaur, Ram Lal Markanda, Lahaul-Spiti and Nirmla Devi from Pragpur.Maheshwar Singh, who defeated Pratibha Singh, wife of former chief minister Virbhadra Singh by a record margin of over 1.32 lakh votes from Mandi Lok Sabha seat, was also present on the occasion.Though in the past, oath-taking ceremonies were normally held in the committee room or Speaker's chamber, the function was shifted to main library hall of the Assembly to accommodate the heavy crowd of BJP and HVC supporters who had accompanied their respective MLAs.Most impressive show was put up by Chet Ram Negi, who travelled in a long convoy of vehicles from Kinnaur and reached Shimla late in the evening. He drove straight to the residence of Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and sought his blessings. Barring HVC MLA Markanda, all members took oath in Hindi.Those present at the ceremony included Chief Minister Dhumal, former PWD minister Sukh Ram, cabinet ministers, MLAs and senior government officials. In an emotional scene, BJP MLA from Pragpur Nirmala Devi broke down when invited to take oath as member of the House. Holding back her tears, Nirmala walked up to the dais and took oath in a choked voice.The Congress leaders were conspicuous by their absence in the oath-taking ceremony.
