Chief ministers of several NDA-ruled states, including Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya and Andhra Pradesh, were in attendance as were PM Modi, BJP president J P Nadda, Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah

The BJP's choice of the day for the swearing-in ceremony is significant as it is Valmiki Jayanti. Sage-poet Valmiki is the author of the Hindu epic Ramayana and a revered figure, especially among Dalits

Hours before the ceremony, Saini visited the Valmiki Bhawan and offered prayers at a gurdwara and the Mansa Devi temple in Panchkula

He told reporters that the new BJP government will work towards taking Haryana forward at a rapid pace under the leadership of PM Modi

The people of Haryana have shown faith in the Modi government's policies, he said on the assembly poll results

Ambala Cantt MLA Anil Vij, Israna MLA Krishan Lal Panwar, Badshahpur MLA Rao Narbir Singh, Tosham MLA Shruti Choudhary, Ateli MLA Arti Singh Rao and Radaur MLA Shyam Singh Rana were among those administered the oath of office by Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya

Saini, 54, was unanimously elected as the leader of the BJP legislature party in a meeting held at the party office in Panchkula on Wednesday