Ashok Gehlot takes oath as Rajasthan Chief Minister, Sachin Pilot sworn in as deputy CM

Congress leaders Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot took oath as the new Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan respectively at Jaipur’s historic Albert Hall on Monday. Top Opposition and party leaders, including Congress president Rahul Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh, were present at the oath-taking ceremony. More than 10,000 people witnessed the oath of the new Rajasthan CM and his deputy. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and others were among the VIP guests who attended the function. Usually, the oath-taking ceremonies takes place in the Raj Bhawan but former CM Vaundhara Raje changed the trend by organising her swearing-in at Janpath outside Rajasthan Assembly building. The Congress had ousted Vasundhara Raje-led BJP government from the state by winning 99 of the 199 seats in the December 7 Assembly elections.

Highlights of Ashok Gehlot’s oath-taking ceremony as Rajasthan chief minister:

#12:15 pm: PM Modi congratulates Gehlot, Pilot: "Congratulations to Shri Ashok Gehlot Ji and Shri Sachin Pilot Ji on taking oath as the CM and Deputy CM of Rajasthan. Best wishes for their tenure ahead," Modi tweeted.

#11:00 am: Ashok Gehlot is the new Rajasthan CM: Ashok Gehlot takes oath as the new Rajasthan Chief Minister in presence of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, former prime minister Manmohan Singh and others. Sachin Pilot sworn in as his deputy.

#10:26 am: Vasundhara Raje also present: Former CM Vasundhara Raje, Congress leader Jitin Prasad and other leaders at the swearing-in ceremony.

Rajasthan: Former CM Vasundhara Raje, Congress leader Jitin Prasad and other leaders at the swearing-in ceremony of CM designate Ashok Gehlot and Deputy CM designate Sachin Pilot in Jaipur. pic.twitter.com/pQB5TOCVI6

— ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2018

#10:13 am: Rahul Gandhi, Manmohan Singh arrive in Jaipur: Congress President Rahul Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrive in Jaipur for the swearing-in ceremony of CM designate Ashok Gehlot and Deputy CM designate Sachin Pilot.

Rajasthan: Congress President Rahul Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrive in Jaipur for the swearing-in ceremony of CM designate Ashok Gehlot and Deputy CM designate Sachin Pilot. pic.twitter.com/2vCQboPsCx

— ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2018

#09:30 am: Five years of carelessness: "What is the financial condition of the state is known by all. The BJP got a huge mandate in the last elections and people had expectations from Raje, but she was careless and passed five years in carelessness," said Ashok Gehlot.

#09:25 am: What Ashok Gehlot said before his swearing-in: Once the cabinet is decided, the Chief Minister will work on its advice. Once it’s done, we’ll do what’s in public interest, the manifesto will be our priority: Ashok Gehlot

#09:20 am: Thousands gather at Albert Hall: Congress leaders and workers gather at Albert Hall, Jaipur. Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot will take oath as Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister respectively later today.

#09:15 am: supporters gather outside Sachin Pilot's residence: A number of supporters gathered outside Sachin Pilot's residence. Pilot will take oath as the deputy chief minister.

Rajasthan: People gather outside the residence of Deputy Chief Minister designate Sachin Pilot in Jaipur. Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot will take oath as the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister respectively, later today. pic.twitter.com/wIvhFMa1AS

— ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2018

#09:10 am: Akhilesh, Mayawati to skip the event: Samajwadi Party chief and former Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Supremo Maywati are likly to miss the swearing-in ceremony of Congress CM. However, the Congress has invited sworn enemy Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the ceremony.

Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Chief Mayawati will not participate in the swearing-in ceremonies in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh today. (file pics) pic.twitter.com/2GbkuXAeOg

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 17, 2018

#09:05 am: Over 11,000 to attend the ceremony: Sitting arrangments have been made for over 11,000 people outside Jaipur's Abert Hall. Around 2,000 VIPs, including Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, will witness the oath-taking of  ceremony of new Rajasthan CM.

#09:00 am: Hello and welcome to the News Nation live updates: Congress leaders Ashok Gehlot and Sachin pilot are all set to take oath as the chief minister and deputy chief minister of Rajasthan. The oath-taking ceremony of Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot will be attended by Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh. Several top Opposition leaders are likely to gather at Jaipur's historic Albert Hall to showcase their unity against the BJP for the 2019 general elections. Stay with us as we bring you all the live updates directly from Albert Hall, Jaipur.