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Three sulking ministers-designate
join Uttaranchal ministry

They were administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Surjit Singh Barnala at a simple ceremony in Dehradun.

Both Koshiyari and Pokhriyal were given cabinet rank while Ramdas was inducted as minister of state.

Soon after the swearing-in, the chief minister told reporters there was no dissidence in the party, adding, "We are united and will remain together."

He said there would be no further expansion of the ministry in the near future.

Swamy said, "Within two months, we will see the result of development in the state."

Barely 48 hours after formation of the Bharatiya Janata Party government in Uttaranchal, dissidence gripped the ruling party with Koshiyari and Pokhriyal, who had lost out to Swamy in the race for chief ministership, and Ramdas staying away from the oath-taking on Friday.

However, in a late night development on Friday, Koshiyari, Uttaranchal BJP chief, said, "We will take oath as ministers." He also claimed there were no differences with the chief minister on any issue.

Their decision to join the ministry followed chief minister's warning that they would invite disciplinary action if they did not stop dissident activities.

On Friday, Swamy inducted nine members into his ministry, including Kedar Singh Fonia, who was also an aspirant for the top job.

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