Kamal Nath, Ashok Gehlot and Bhupesh Baghel will take oath today as chief ministers of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.

Nath is scheduled to take oath at Bhopal’s Lal Parade ground at 1.30 pm, while Gehlot would be sworn-in as the CM of Rajasthan at historic Albert Hall at 10:15 am. Chhattisgarh chief minister-designate Baghel is scheduled to take oath at 4.30 pm.

In the recently-concluded Assembly elections, the results of which were declared on December 11, the Congress dealt a massive blow to the BJP by ousting its governments in the three ‘Hindi heartland’ states.

Read: At swearing-in of Congress CMs today, Opposition show of strength

While the party registered a resounding victory in Chhattisgarh, winning 68 seats as opposed to the BJP’s 15, in Rajasthan, the Congress bagged 99 seats, and the BJP 73.

Madhya Pradesh saw a nail-biting fight, where the Congress managed to bag 114 seats out of a total 230. The Congress then roped in seven seats, two from the BSP, one from Samajwadi Party and four Independent candidates, to form the government.

Here are the HIGHLIGHTS:

10:30 pm IST SIT to probe Jhiram Ghati massacre: Baghel Our third decision is related to Jhiram Ghati. Total 29 people including prominent leaders like Nand Kumar Patel were killed. Conspirators haven’t been exposed. No such massacre of politicians ever took place in history. To nab the culprits, a special investigation team has been formed: Bhupesh Baghel





10:20 pm IST Baghel announces farm loan waiver, increase in MSP of maize Congress president Rahul Gandhi had announced that farm loans will be waived within 10 days and Minimum Support Price (MSP) for maize will be increased to Rs 2,500 from Rs 1,700 per quintal. These two decisions have been taken today: Bhupesh Baghel





10:05 pm IST Baghel waives off farmers’ loan Bhupesh Baghel waives off farmers’ loan worth Rs 6,100 crore. About 16 .5 lakh farmers will be benefitted through the move.





6:45 pm IST TS Singh Deo, Tamradhwaj Sahu take oath as ministers TS Singh Deo and Tamradhwaj Sahu take oath as ministers. Both were contenders for the chief minister’s post Raipur: T. S. Singh Deo and Tamradhwaj Sahu take oath as ministers #Chhattisgarh pic.twitter.com/gZcJs2YGxy — ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2018





6:25 pm IST Baghel takes oath as Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel takes oath as Chhattisgarh chief minister. Raipur: Bhupesh Baghel takes oath as the next Chief Minister of #Chhattisgarh pic.twitter.com/YMOnKaOf92 — ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2018





6:05 pm IST My name brought up in 1984 riots for political reasons: Kamal Nath I took oath in 1991 and several times after that, no one said anything. There is no case, FIR, or chargesheet against me. Today, they are raking up this matter. One can understand the politics behind this. Did eyewitnesses tell you (about my involvement): Kamal Nath on 1984 anti-Sikh riots.





6:02 pm IST Raman Singh reaches Baghela’s swearing-in venue Outgoing Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh, BJP leader Gauri Shankar Agarwal and senior Congress leader Motilal Vora reach Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium for the swearing-in ceremony of Bhupesh Baghel. Raipur: Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh & senior Congress leader Motilal Vora at Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium for the swearing-in ceremony of Bhupesh Baghel as Chhattisgarh CM pic.twitter.com/aqCXVtFK7t — ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2018





5:58 pm IST Gaushala in every panchayat Sources say Kamal Nath has approved opening of a gaushala in every panchayat. There are more than 23,000 panchayats in Madhya Pradesh.





5:57 pm IST Economic activities have to be increased: Kamal Nath I will say to banks, when they waive loans of industries from 40% to 60% they don’t have any problem, but when it comes to waiving loans of farmers they have a problem. Economic activities have to be increased in MP for generating employment. Treasure is empty as given by the previous government: Kamal Nath





5:55 pm IST Giving employment to youth is our priority: Kamal Nath Kamal Nath says there is a need to effect a change in the system to meet the aspirations of people. Giving employment to youth is our priority, he said. Any scheme is successful only when there is a good delivery system. Corruption begins from the lowest level where 90% work for the people is done, he says.





5:50 pm IST Incentive to industries only if 70% employment to locals: Kamal Nath Kamal Nath says incentive to new industries will be given only when there is 70% employment to local people. People from other states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh come here and local people don’t get jobs. I have signed file for this, he says.





5:45 pm IST Kamal Nath enhances Mukhyamantri Kanyadan Yojana amount In another decision, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath has enhanced the amount of Mukhyamantri Kanyadan Yojana from Rs 28,000 to Rs 51,000. This is also as per the party’s manifesto.





5:35 pm IST Leaders reach Raipur Rahul Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, Navjot Sidhu, Farooq Abdullah, Raj Babbar, Sachin Pilot, Ashok Gehlot and Jyotiraditya Scindia reach Raipur for Bhupesh Baghel’s swearing-in ceremony.





5:30 pm IST ‘One done, two to go’: Rahul tweets on farm loan waiver CM, Madhya Pradesh, waives farm loans.



1 done.



2 to go. — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 17, 2018





5:15 pm IST MP govt issues order on farm loan waiver The order issued by Madhya Pradesh principal secretary of agriculture Rajesh Rajora states, “The Madhya Pradesh government has decided to waive loans of farmers who were found eligible as per norms, up to Rs 2 lakh taken from nationalised and cooperative banks as short term crop loan as on March 31, 2018.”





5:00 pm IST Kamal Nath waives loans of farmers up to Rs 2 lakh Newly-appointed Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath, in his first decision, waives loans of farmers up to Rs 2 lakh taken as short term loan.





4:46 pm IST Kamal Nath signs on files for farm loan waiver Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath signs on files for farm loan waiver, reports ANI. Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath signs on the files for farm loan waiver pic.twitter.com/NspxMA8Z6i — ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2018





4:00 pm IST Watch | Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot take oath





3:40 pm IST Bhupesh Baghel visits new swearing-in venue Chhattisgarh Chief Minister-designate Bhupesh Baghel visited new swearing in venue with party MLAs to take stock of the preparation work. Continuous rainfall in Chhattisgarh’s capital since Monday morning has led to change in the venue of swearing-in ceremony of the new chief minister of the state Bhupesh Baghel.





3:25 pm IST Kamal Nath at forefront in steering Congress to assembly poll win Kamal Nath, who has held several portfolios in the Union cabinet, was appointed the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee president on April 26 and was at the forefront in steering the party to a win in the November 28 Assembly polls. The results were declared on December 11.





2:55 pm IST CM designate Bhupesh Baghel’s oath-taking ceremony venue changed The venue of CM designate Bhupesh Baghel’s oath taking ceremony has been changed from Science College ground to Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium in Raipur, due to continuous rainfall.





2:30 pm IST Kamal Nath takes oath as Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath took oath as Madhya Pradesh chief minister on Monday. Bhopal: Opposition leaders at the swearing-in ceremony of Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath. pic.twitter.com/kA2HnfXykD — ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2018





2:20 pm IST Rajasthan CM, deputy CM attend swearing-in ceremony of CM Kamal Nath Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, Deputy CM Sachin Pilot and Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu at the swearing-in ceremony of CM Kamal Nath, in Bhopal.





2:05 pm IST Opposition leaders attend swearing in ceremony of Kamal Nath as MP CM National Conference President Farooq Abdullah, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh and Mallikarjun Kharge, Andhra Pradesh CM and TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and other leaders attend the swearing-in ceremony of CM designate Kamal Nath, in Bhopal.





1:55 pm IST Shivraj Singh Chouhan attends swearing-in ceremony of CM designate Kamal Nath Former CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan and other leaders attended the swearing-in ceremony of CM designate Kamal Nath, in Bhopal. Madhya Pradesh: Former CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan and other leaders at the swearing-in ceremony of CM designate Kamal Nath, in Bhopal. pic.twitter.com/53HxMd5ktB — ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2018





1:05 pm IST HD Devegowda meets Rahul Gandhi at Kamal Nath’s swearing-in ceremony Former PM and JD(S) National President HD Devegowda met with and greeted Congress president Rahul Gandhi at the swearing-in ceremony of Kamal Nath as Madhya Pradesh CM.





1:00 pm IST Rahul Gandhi, Manmohan Singh arrive for Kamal Nath’s swearing-in Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other leaders including Farooq Abdullah and Sharad Yadav arrive for oath ceremony of Kamal Nath as Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister.





12:40 pm IST Phalanx of opposition leaders attended Gehlot, Pilot’s swearing in ceremony Gehlot and Pilot’s swearing-in ceremony was attended by several senior Congress leaders, including party president Rahul Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. A phalanx of opposition leaders including Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, DMK president MK Stalin and NCP president Sharad Pawar also attended the oath-taking. Jaipur: Earlier visuals of Congress President Rahul Gandhi, former PM Manmohan Singh and other leaders going for the swearing-in ceremony of Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot and Deputy CM Sachin Pilot. pic.twitter.com/2CZiyAS8x3 — ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2018





12:10 pm IST Cong invites Raman Singh, Jogi for Baghel’s swearing in ceremony Raman Singh , Ajit Jogi, BJP president Dharmlal Kaushik and veteran BJPleader Brijmohan Agarwal invited by Congress in the swearing-in ceremony of Chhattisgarh CM-designate Bhupesh Baghel at 5:30 pm.





11:45 am IST Congress congratulates new CM and deputy CM of Rajasthan The Congress party congratulated new chief minister and deputy CM of Rajasthan. Congratulations to the new CM & Deputy CM of Rajasthan, Shri @ashokgehlot51 & Shri @SachinPilot #IndiaTrustsCongress pic.twitter.com/kuZjLpE46r — Congress (@INCIndia) December 17, 2018





11:40 am IST This is a new beginning for the state and people: Sachin Pilot “This is a new beginning for the state and people. They trusted us and our work begins today. As soon as the cabinet is formed we’ll begin working on promises made to the people. We’ll work to meet their expectations,” Pilot said ahead of his swearing-in ceremony.





11:20 am IST ‘Our govt will waive off farm loans within 10 days: Ashok Gehlot “First, we will form the cabinet, which will then discuss it at the first meeting. Earlier, the government of India did it, and it waived loans from the nationalised banks. It will be decided at the first cabinet meeting. The 10-day countdown will begin after the cabinet formation,” said Gehlot to Hindustan Times ahead of taking oath as Rajasthan CM. Also Watch: Will work in public interest, says Ashok Gehlot before taking oath as Rajasthan CM





11:10 am IST Ashok Gehlot takes oath as Rajasthan CM, Pilot as his deputy Ashok Gehlot takes oath as the chief minister and Sachin Pilot takes oath as the deputy chief minister of Rajasthan.





10:40 am IST People greet Kamal Nath outside his residence Ahead of swearing in ceremony, people greeted CM-designate Kamal Nath outside his residence in Bhopal. Madhya Pradesh: People greet Chief Minister designate Kamal Nath outside his residence in Bhopal. pic.twitter.com/HBObqCCvHn — ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2018





10:35 am IST Vasundhara Raje attends swearing-in ceremony of Ashok Gehlot Former CM Vasundhara Raje, Congress leader Jitin Prasad and other leaders at the swearing-in ceremony of CM designate Ashok Gehlot and Deputy CM designate Sachin Pilot in Jaipur. Rajasthan: Former CM Vasundhara Raje, Congress leader Jitin Prasad and other leaders at the swearing-in ceremony of CM designate Ashok Gehlot and Deputy CM designate Sachin Pilot in Jaipur. pic.twitter.com/pQB5TOCVI6 — ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2018





10:25 am IST Rahul Gandhi, Manmohan arrive for swearing-in ceremony of Ashok Gehlot Congress president Rahul Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrive in Jaipur for the swearing-in ceremony of CM designate Ashok Gehlot and Deputy CM designate Sachin Pilot. Rajasthan: Congress President Rahul Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrive in Jaipur for the swearing-in ceremony of CM designate Ashok Gehlot and Deputy CM designate Sachin Pilot. pic.twitter.com/2vCQboPsCx — ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2018





10:10 am IST Rajasthan’s oath-taking ceremony will signify opposition unity: Sachin Pilot Rajasthan’s Deputy Chief Minister designate Sachin Pilot on Monday emphasised on the gathering of opposition leaders in the state capital for the swearing-in ceremony of the new government and asserted that it will offer a glimpse of the ‘future of politics’ in India. “Even non-Congress parties now want to see Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Minister. It is not only going to be an oath-taking ceremony but it will also give a glimpse of the future of politics in this country. This is an indication of how the politics will turn in upcoming times,” said Pilot.





10:05 am IST Mamata not to attend swearing-in ceremony of Kamal Nath West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee will not attend the swearing-in ceremony of Congress leader Kamal Nath as Madhya Pradesh CM, said PTI quoting official sources. There was, however, no reason cited for Banerjee not going to Bhopal for the swearing-in ceremony on Monday, an official of the Chief Minister’s Office said. Trinamool Congress MP Dinesh Trivedi will be representing the party at the event, which the Congress intends to showcase as a picture of Opposition unity. “I have been directed by the party chief (Banerjee) to be present at Monday’s swearing-in programme,” Trivedi told PTI. Also Read: Mamata Banerjee not to attend swearing-in ceremony of Kamal Nath as Madhya Pradesh chief minister





10:00 am IST Preparations in full swing for swearing in ceremonies Preparations are in full swing and arrangements are being made for security, dais, seating and pandal at respective venues in Jaipur, Bhopal and Raipur.





9:55 am IST Several senior Congress leaders to attend the swearing in ceremonies Several senior Congress leaders and hundreds of party workers will attend the events. Besides, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, a phalanx of opposition leaders including Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, DMK president MK Stalin, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, and NCP president Sharad Pawar are expected to attend all the three oath-taking ceremonies.





9:50 am IST Congress leaders, workers gather at Albert Hall in Jaipur Congress leaders and workers have gathered at Albert Hall, Jaipur. Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot will take oath as Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister respectively later today. Also Read: Jaipur’s Albert Hall decked up for the swearing-in of Gehlot A galaxy of political leaders and Congress workers will descend on the premises of the historic Albert Hall in Jaipur on Monday for the oath-taking ceremony of Ashok Gehlot as chief minister of Rajasthan there. A fine example of Indo-saracenic, a revival architectural style mostly used by the British in the later 19th century, the foundation of the iconic structure was laid in 1876 during the visit the Prince of Wales, Albert Edward, to Jaipur.





9:45 am IST Akhilesh, Mayawati won’t participate in swearing-in ceremonies Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati will not participate in the swearing-in ceremonies in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh today, reported news agency ANI.



