Bhopal: The first session of the newly elected Madhya Pradesh Assembly commenced here on Monday with the administration of oath to the 228 MLAs. Two BJP legislators did not take the oath on the day. Congress MLA Deepak Saxena was appointed pro tem Speaker to administer oath to the MLAs. Some of the legislators took oath in Sanskrit, while there were others who chanted sholakas as they took the new responsibility as public representative.
Former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was the first to take oath. Ministers in the Kamal Nath government were next, with Nath himself not taking oath as he is not a member of the House. The two BJP MLAs – Malini Gaur and Yashodhra Raje Scindia did not take the oath.
Even as MLA from Indore-IV Malini Gaud reached the Assembly premises on time, she did not take the oath for the unknown reason. The MLA will take oath on Tuesday. Raje is on leave and may not attend the session on Tuesday.
Arvind Singh Bhadoria, Devilal Dhakad were among the seven MLAs who took the oath in Sanskrit. Bhopal (Central) MLA Arif Masood took the oath in Urdu.
Hardeep Singh before taking the oath chanted ‘Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh’. MLA Sumitra Raje also recited Gyatri Mantra as she began her oath, while Mahesh Parmar chanted ‘Mahakal ki Jai’. MLA Sunita Patel chanted a sholaka from Durga Sapshati before taking the oath. Almost all the newly-elected legislators bowed down in respect at the steps of the Assembly upon their arrival for the session.