Mayawati to take oath as CM on Sunday

Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati, whose party stormed back to power with an absolute majority in the assembly polls, will be sworn in as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, bringing to an end an era of coalition rule in the state.

51-year-old Mayawati, who became the first Dalit chief minister in India in 1993, will be administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor T V Rajeswar at the Raj Bhavan lawns at 1300 hours. She will be assuming the reins of office for the fourth time.

Earlier, a day after she decimated all the rivals, Mayawati was unanimously elected leader of the BSP legislature party at its meeting on Saturday morning. The brief meeting was business-like when two senior leaders of the party proposed her name, which was unanimously approved by a show of hands.

Armed with the legislature party decision she called on Rajeswar and handed over a letter that she be invited to form the government. After 1991, this will be the first single party government in UP.

Speaking to media persons after meeting the governor, Mayawati said the newly-elected BSP legislators have authorised her to take initiatives in forming the government.     

"Accordingly, I informed the governor that I have been unanimously elected leader of the BSP legislature party. Since the BSP has secured an absolute majority in the polls I should be invited to form the new government," she said.     

On being asked whether some more ministers would also be sworn in along with her, she said she had not yet decided about this.

"You (media) will be informed as soon as any decision in this regard is taken," she said.

Mayawati said she had requested the Governor to administer the oath of office and secrecy by 1300 hours on Sunday to which the governor agreed.

Senior police officials including state DGP G L Sharma held a meeting to discuss the security arrangements for the swearing in ceremony.

Necessary directions have been issued to make fool proof arrangements as a large crowd was expected at the ceremony, sources said.

BSP sources said that along with Mayawati, some other ministers could also be administered oath of office and secrecy.

Mayawati and her senior advisors have started the process of selection of possible ministers which is going to prove an arduous task especially keeping in view the victory of a large number of upper caste candidates.

As many as 34 Brahmins and 19 Thakurs have emerged victorious on BSP ticket this time around and Mayawati would be hard pressed to accomodate them in her ministry, sources said.