Ashok Gehlot sworn in as Rajasthan chief minister

Jaipur, Dec 13 (IANS) Congress leader Ashok Gehlot was Saturday sworn in as the chief minister of Rajasthan at the Raj Bhavan here.

Governor S.K. Singh administered the oath of office and secrecy to Gehlot at a gathering that included former chief ministers Vasundhare Raje and Bhairon Singh Shekhawat of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Congress activists cheered Gehlot and shouted slogans hailing him and party president Sonia Gandhi as he waved to them after taking oath.

This is the second time 57-year-old Gehlot is becoming the chief minister.

He earlier held the post from 1998 to 2003.

'We are happy that after five years our chief minister has come back. We are sure we are going to see a transparent and sensitive government under Gehlot's leadership,' said M.K. Mathur, a Congress member.

Gehlot is seen as the main architect of the Congress comeback in the state. The Congress wrested power from the BJP in assembly elections, winning 96 seats in the 200-member house.