Parkash Singh Badal takes oath as Punjab chief minister

Chandigarh : Parkash Singh Badal became Punjab’s oldest chief minister Wednesday when he was sworn in for a record fifth time at a ceremony at the historic Sikh battlefield of Chappar Chiri in Mohali, 20 km from here.

Badal, 84, took the oath in Punjabi.

He had earlier been chief minister in 1969, 1977, 1997 and 2007.

Punjab Governor Shivraj Patil administered the oath of office and secrecy to Badal in the presence of many top political leaders and thousands of people.