Raipur, Dec 12 : Dr. Raman Singh was sworn-in as the third Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh here today.

Governor E. S. L. Narsimhan administered the oath of office and secrecy to him at a ceremony in the Police Parade ground.

The ceremony was attended by BJP''s senior leaders including Rajnath Singh and L. K. Advani. Uttaranchal Chief Minister Narayan Dutt Tiwari and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal were also present on the occasion.

Dr. Raman Singh, who was born on October, 15 1952, has been Chief Minister since December 7, 2003.

He joined the Bharatiya Jan Sangh as a youth member and progressed to become a councillor, and subsequently, an MLA. His career reached a new high in 1999, when he won the Lok Sabha seat from Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh.

Under Atal Bihari Vajpayee''s Government, Dr. Singh became the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry. He was later named as State President, Chhattisgarh BJP, and led the party to a victory in the 2003 Assembly elections.

He banned naxalite organisations in Chattisgarh in 2005 under the "Salwa Judam" initiative, a move supported by the opposition party as well, led by Mahendra Karma.

Dr. Raman Singh is also known as ''Mr Clean'', for the significant reduction in corruption while implementing government scheme and plans during his tenure. This image helped him to regain the power in the state in the Assembly elections held in December 2008. (ANI)