In the state, along with Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, two Deputy Chief Ministers are also set to take the oath. However, statements have already begun circulating ahead of the oath-taking ceremony. Notably, there is no provision for the post of Deputy Chief Minister in the constitution; individuals in this role are administered the oath as members of the cabinet. Nevertheless, the government invitation includes the title of Deputy Chief Minister.
Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra has raised objections to the government invitation, deeming the position of Deputy Chief Minister as unconstitutional. In response, Sateesh Poonia, former state president of the BJP, has criticised Dotasra, stating that he seems unfamiliar with the constitution. Diya Kumari and Prem Chand Bairwa are both slated to take the oath as Deputy Chief Ministers.
When the government’s letter regarding the Deputy Chief Minister was made public, Dotasra posted on the social media platform X, stating, “The description of taking the oath of Deputy Chief Minister along with the Chief Minister has been written in the government invitation. While there is no description of swearing-in for any such post in Articles 163 and 164 of the Constitution. It is clear that there is no constitutional post of Deputy Chief Minister in the state.”
In response to Dotasra’s objection, Poonia stated, “Now I don’t know which constitution Govind Singh Dotasra has read. Even here, oaths are taken in the states as members of the cabinet. There too, it is their prerogative. I don’t think there has been a violation of the constitutional boundaries anywhere. Well, he has the full right to give statements and express his disappointment. But what he is making an issue of is completely beyond reasoning.”
Sumitra Singh supports Dotasra’s objection
Meanwhile, former Assembly Speaker Sumitra Singh has supported the objection raised by Dotasra. She said that there is no provision for a Deputy Chief Minister in the constitution. Till now, the oath has been administered as a member of the cabinet, and after that, it is announced that they will be the Deputy Chief Minister.
