MLA Becomes Minister, Twice in 15 Minutes, In Bizarre Oath-Taking Ceremony

Mr Rawat spoke to NDTV after the chaotic sequence of events and expressed gratitude towards the BJP for making him a minister.

Madhya Pradesh BJP MLA Ramniwas Rawat - a Congress leader and a recent addition to the ruling party - was inducted into Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's cabinet this morning. However, what should have been a routine procedure was marked by an unusual, even chaotic, sequence of events.

Mr Rawat was scheduled to be sworn in - at 9 am by Governor Mangubhai C Patel at Raj Bhavan, with the Chief Minister and other dignitaries looking on - as a Cabinet Minister. By 9.03 am he was administered the oath - but that of a Minister of State, a junior post.

Fifteen minutes later Mr Rawat was administered a second oath - as a Cabinet Minister.