United Progressive Alliance-backed Independent legislator Madhu Koda was on Monday sworn in as the chief minister of Jharkhand.

He is also the country's youngest chief minister, a title he inherits from his predecessor, Arjun Munda.

Three of his ministerial colleagues -- Kamlesh Singh, Enos Ekka and Harinarayan Rai -- instrumental in toppling the Munda-led government, were also administered the oath of office and secrecy.

With this Koda, the fourth chief minister of Jharkhand, touched another milestone in his relatively low profile political career when he became the third Independent legislator to attend the highest post after Bishwanath Das of Orissa (1971) and Dr FA Khonglam of Meghalaya (2002).

On Monday afternoon, in a marked deviation from his preferred jeans and jacket, 35-year-old Koda wore a white safari suit to take the oath.

The first ever cabinet of the UPA government, headed by Koda and attended by three ministers, will seek vote of confidence on September 20.

Image: Jharkhand Governor Syed Sibtey Razi greets new state chief minister Madhu Koda after the swearing-in ceremony.
Photograph: Deepak Kumar/ Saab Pictures

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