Madhya Pradesh MLA Ramniwas Rawat 'Misreads' Oath, Sworn-in Twice

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh MLA Ramniwas Rawat was sworn-in as a minister in Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's cabinet on Monday morning.

He had to be sworn-in twice after he misread from his oath paper as "Rajya Mantri" (state minister) instead of "Rajya Ke Mantri", which means cabinet minister, news agency PTI quoted an official as saying.

After his first oath, a confusion prevailed on whether he took oath as a minister of state or a cabinet minister.

When the authorities concerned noticed the chaos, it was decided that Rawat should take oath again, he said.

The initial function was held at the Sandipani auditorium in the Raj Bhawan, while the same programme was later held in the Darbar Hall of the Governor House.

Governor Mangubhai Patel again administered the oath of office and secrecy to Rawat in the Darbar Hall in the presence of CM Yadav and other dignitaries. Rawat then took oath as "Rajya Ke Mantri", the official added.

Later, the CM later told reporters that "Ramniwas Rawat today took oath as cabinet minister."

A six-time MLA from Vijaypur in Sheopur district, Rawat joined the ruling BJP during the Lok Sabha campaign on April 30. Notably, he has not yet resigned from the state assembly as Congress MLA.

(With agency inputs)