File photo of Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and BC Khanduri in New Delhi.
Major General (retd) BC Khanduri was sworn in as sixth chief minister of Uttarakhand on Sunday. Governor Margret Alva administered oath to 77 years Khanduri who became chief minister for the second time after Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) decided to remove Ramesh Pokhriyal
Nishank.
Khanduri asserted that BJP would win assembly polls which are scheduled in less than six months time.
"There is less time left and I am hopeful that BJP will win polls" he said after taking over as CM at Rangers Ground in capital.
Interestingly Khanduri repeated all eleven faces of Nishank cabinet including Diwakar Bhatt from Uttarakhand Kranti Dal and Rajendra Bhandari an independent.
Earlier Khanduri was unopposed elected as the leader of BJP legislative party in a 'tense' meeting that lasted for 45 minutes at Bijapur Guest House. Outgoing chief minister Nishank proposed name of Khanduri as the leader which was seconded by cabinet minister Matbar Singh Kandari amid the presence of central observer Ravi Shankar Prasad.
Nishank who tendered his resignation to governor before coming to meeting said that he would readily accept any responsibility.
"I have given my time to party and I look forward to serve in any capacity" said Nishank.
Meanwhile the BJP election in charge for Uttarakhand Rajnath Singh maintained that Nishank was not removed owing to graft charges.
"The change has been made as a part of BJP poll strategy" Singh clarified.