Akhilesh Yadav sworn in as UP Chief Minister

Mangalore Today News Network

Lucknow, March 15, 2012 :  Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav was sworn in as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh today. The youngest ever Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, in white kurta and black jacket, took oath and then firmly shook hands with Governor BL Joshi. He then reached into his left breast pocket for a pen and signed.

His party had gained absolute majority by winning 224 seats in the 403-member Assembly.

Members of his Cabinet are now taking oath, among them the controversial Raja Bhaiyya who threw in his lot with the SP after its massive win in the state.

Thirty eight-year-old Akhilesh has his task cut out fulfilling the long list of promises made by his party in its poll manifesto.

Samajwadi Party had announced a slew of poll sops, including providing laptops to intermediate pass students, tablet computers to high-school pass outs, allowance to unemployed youths, free treatment to patients suffering from serious ailments and loan waivers for farmers.

Akhilesh will also have to take a call on constituting a commission for taking legal opinion on providing reservation to Muslims and implementing recommendations of the Ranganath Mishra Commission and the Sachar Committee.

The SP leader has said improving law and order situation and rooting out corruption in the state are among his top priorities.

Besides, restoration of student unions in universities and colleges will also be a challenge for him.

Even before taking the reins of the state, the party is under attack from Opposition parties, including outgoing Chief Minister Mayawati, who has alleged that the law and order situation had deteriorated following declaration of poll results in favour of SP.