Parkash Singh Badal to take oath as Punjab CM for fifth time

Chandigarh, Mar 14 (ANI): Parkash Singh Badal, who led the SAD-BJP combine to a thumping win in the Punjab Assembly poll, will take oath as chief minister for a record fifth time at the historic Chapar Chiri Banda Bahadur Memorial in Fatehgarh Sahab District today.

85-year-old Badal had headed two full five-year terms from 1997 and 2007. His other terms were in 1977-1980 and 1970-71.

The SAD-BJP combine returned to power by defying the expected anti-incumbency factor.

The SAD-BJP combine won 68 of the 117 seats with the SAD securing 56 seats and the BJP 12 seats. The Congress won 46 seats, while others won three.

Badal entered politics in 1947 and was first elected to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha in 1957. He was re-elected in 1969 serving as Minister for Community Development, Panchayati Raj, Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries.

He has served as Punjab Chief Minister for three terms the first time in 1969 when he became the youngest Chief Minister of an Indian state. He was Leader of the Opposition in 1972, 1980 and 2002. (ANI)