Gangtok : Pawan Kumar Chamling was Wednesday sworn-in as Sikkim’s chief minister for a record fifth consecutive term.
Governor Shriniwas Patil administered the oath of office to the 63-year-old Chamling and 11 ministers at a function at Raj Bhavan here.
The Chamling-led Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) secured a two-thirds majority in the assembly election, winning 22 seats out of 32.
On Tuesday, Chamling was elected the SDF legislature party leader, after which the governor invited him to form the government.
In power since Dec 12, 1994, Chamling has already completed two uninterrupted decades as chief minister of the erstwhile Himalayan kingdom which merged with India in 1975.
Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh congratulated Chamling.
“Congratulations and best wishes to Pawan Chamling on being sworn- in as Sikkim CM. We will work together for Sikkim’s progress,” Modi tweeted.
Rajnath Singh also congratulated Chamling.
“Pawan Kumar Chamling was sworn in as Sikkim chief minister today for the fifth time. Congratulations and good wishes to him,” he said.
Chamling is poised to break the record of former West Bengal chief minister Jyoti Basu as the longest running head of government of any Indian state.
Basu ruled West Bengal for 23 years from 1977 till 2000.
After assuming his office, Chamling said his dream was to transform Sikkim into a prosperous, progressive and self-reliant state.
“I wish my people to live a full life with freedom, dignity, self-respect and righteousness,” he said.
Sikkim has the lowest percentage of people below poverty line (BPL) and its per capita income is much higher than the national average.
Chamling has promised to eradicate poverty in the state by 2017. He is also working towards making Sikkim the first debt-free state in India.