Sukhbir Badal sworn in as Punjab Deputy CM

AMRITSAR: Sukhbir Badal, 45, a sitting Lok Sabha MP and President of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), was on Wednesday sworn in as the deputy chief minister of Punjab at a public function here.

Badal is the son of state chief minister and Akali veteran Parkash Singh Badal.

In an exclusive interview to ET, soon after he was sworn in, Mr Badal said his primary focus would be on developing Punjab's infrastructure.

"My emphasis will be on the power sector and road network. The state's trade and industry need a bail out as both have suffered from the discriminatory practices of the UPA administration at the Centre," he said.

Mr Badal was administered the oath of office by Governor Gen (retd) SF Rodrigues. The function was attended by BJP national president Rajnath Singh, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, former Haryana chief minister Om Prakash Chautala and former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje.