New Delhi: Sheila Dikshit led seven-member Council of Ministers was sworn in today (Dec 15, 2003) to rule Delhi for the second five-year term.

Lieutenant Governor Vijai Kapoor administered the oath of office and secrecy to Dikshit, A K Walia, Haroon Yusuf, Raj Kumar Chauhan, Mangat Ram Singhal, Yoganand Shastri and Arvinder Singh 'Lovely' at an impressive function at Raj Niwas at 11.30 hrs (IST).

Dikshit met Kapoor on Friday (Dec 12, 2003) night handing over the list of her party MLAs to enable him initiate the process of Government with the Centre.

A surprise omission in her new Cabinet is Ajay Maken, who was widely acknowledged for his "performance" in the Power and Transport Ministries during difficult times. He is tipped to become the Speaker of Assembly.

The Congress Government, which first wrested power in Delhi in 1998 ousting Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), romped back in the December 1 Assembly polls with two-third majority for the second time.

Congress bagged 47 of the 70 seats at stake, five less than the previous score.

PTI