Bhagwant Mann paints Punjab 'basanti' as he takes oath as chief minister | Watch

Punjab got its youngest chief minister since the 1970s in comedian-turned-politician Bhagwant Mann today as lakhs of people donning 'basanti' turbans and dupattas turned up to cheer him. The Aam Aadmi Party leader was sworn-in as the CM at the mega event in Khatkar Kalan, freedom fighter Bhagat Singh’s ancestral village.

At the 100-acre land, where the oath ceremony took place, key AAP leaders were present also donning basanti turbans. Like party boss Arvind Kerjiwal, Mann deviated from the usual tradition of taking the oath at the Raj Bhawan. Kejriwal has famously taken his oath at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan for both terms as Chief Minister of the capital.

The colour ‘basanti’ – a trademark for Mann – urged everyone to come to the venue for the event in yellow turbans and dupattas. The venue, with lakhs of spectators, is brimming with yellow as top leaders occupy the stage. Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and other leaders on the stage also sported yellow turbans.

Watch the oath-taking ceremony here:
"We will colour Khatar Kalan in 'Basanti rang'," Bhagwant Mann had said in a video message inviting the people of Punjab to his swearing in. The colour ‘basanti’ is also synonymous with Bhagat Singh who also wore turbans of the colour that came to symbolize the revolution before independence.