Madhya Pradesh MLA Ramniwas Rawat Sworn Twice After Misreading Oath Paper

BJP MLA Ramniwas Rawat 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.

Ramniwas Rawat took oath as a minister in Madhya Pradesh cabinet on Monday. (Image Source: X/@rawat_ramniwas)

Source : Other

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ramniwas Rawat took oath as minister in the government led by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, expanding the cabinet. Rawat was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Mangubhai Patel in the presence of CM Yadav at a brief function in the Raj Bhawan here.

However, 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, an official said, according to a PTI report.

This led to confusion among media persons whether he took oath as a minister of state or cabinet minister. 

मैं रामनिवास रावत ईश्वर की शपथ लेता हूं कि...

आज राजभवन भोपाल में आयोजित शपथ ग्रहण समारोह में मध्यप्रदेश सरकार के कैबिनेट मंत्री के रूप में पद एवं गोपनीयता की शपथ ली।@CMMadhyaPradesh @DrMohanYadav51 pic.twitter.com/FysjcTNiPj

— Ramniwas Rawat (@rawat_ramniwas) July 8, 2024

As the authorities concerned came to know of the matter, it was decided that Rawat take the oath again, the official said.

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

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

Later, CM Mohan Yadav told reporters outside Raj Bhawan, "Ramniwas Rawat today took oath as a cabinet minister." Rawat, the Congressman-turned-BJP politician, also clarified to media persons that he took oath as "cabinet minister".

A six-time MLA from Vijaypur in Sheopur district, Rawat had quit Congress and joined the ruling BJP during the Lok Sabha poll campaign on April 30.

While he joined the saffron party, he did not resign from the state assembly and hesitated to confirm his switch over to the ruling side.

With Rawat's induction, the cabinet strength has risen to 29 while the maximum strength of the MP cabinet is 34.