Narendra Modi begins third innings as Gujarat CM

Narendra Modi takes oath as Chief Minister of Gujarat at Sardar Patel stadium in Ahmedabad. (PTI Photo)AHMEDABAD: Narendra Modi was on Tuesday sworn in as Gujarat Chief Minister for a third term amidst much fanfare in the presence of BJP's pantheon but with virtually none from NDA constituents.

Modi (57), who powered his party single-handedly to a fourth straight time in office in Hindutva's 'laboratory', was sworn in by Governor Nawal Kishore Sharma at a ceremony in the Sardar Patel stadium attended by a lakh of BJP supporters and workers.

BJP's prime ministerial candidate L K Advani, party president Rajnath Singh, senior leaders including Murli Manohar Joshi, its chief ministers from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh and former Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.

NDA convenor George Fernandes and Manohar Joshi, representing BJP's oldest saffron ally Shiv Sena attended the function on a day former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee celebrated his 84th birthday in Delhi. However, none of the prominent faces from the other allies like the JD(U), Akali Dal or Biju Janata Dal were present.

Modi, attired in a brown kurta and a saffron shawl, took the oath in Gujarati and in the name of God. He was the only one to take the oath. He was the only one to take the oath and is expected to induct other ministers later.

Immediately after taking the oath, Modi shook hands with the Governor and walked to the leaders on the dais to receive their congratulations.

Accompanied by Advani and Rajnath Singh, he did a victory lap of the stadium in an open jeep with Advani and Rajnath Singh and a couple of state BJP leaders including party unit chief Purushotam Rupala.

The throng of party workers carrying BJP flags and shouting slogans cheered the leaders as fireworks were on display.

Modi, who has already earned the distinction of being the longest serving Chief Minister of the prosperous western state, faced the first polls in 2002 just one year after taking over the helm of affairs from Keshubhai Patel in the wake of the disastrous earthquake in the state in early 2001.

Earlier, before taking the oath, Modi hugged BJP president Rajnath Singh and exchanged pleasantries with all the guests present on the dais. He also took blessings of the sadhus of various sects who were invited for the event.

The family members of the Chief Minister Narendra Modi were among those present during the swearing-in ceremony.

Senior leaders M Venkaiah Naidu, Arun Jaitley, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi, Maharashtra leader Gopinath Munde besides Advani's daughter Pratibha and Jaya Jaitley were present on the dais.