Bhupinder Singh Hooda, elected leader of the Haryana Congress legislature party on Friday, said his priority as chief minister would be to provide a corruption-free administration.
He said he would also work towards restoring a sense of confidence and security among the people of Haryana.
Hooda said he would seek the cooperation of senior leaders like Chaudhary Bhajan Lal.
Former chief minister Bhajan Lal and 19 of his supporters stayed away from the meeting where Hooda was elected.
"I would go to Bhajan Lal's house and persuade him to sink the differences. I would also seek the blessings of senior leaders like Chaudhary Virendra Singh, former chief minister Bansi Lal and other senior leaders," he said.
Hooda defeated former deputy prime minister Devi Lal in 1991, 1996 and 1998 Lok Sabha elections.
He was elected to the Haryana assembly in the 2000 assembly elections. Hooda was also president of the Haryana Pardesh Congress Committee when the party was not faring well in the state. Bhajan Lal then took over two and a half years ago.
Kartar Devi, senior congress leader, proposed his name. Virendra Singh and rest of the MLAs present at the meeting seconded it.
Hooda thanked Sonia Gandhi for reposing confidence in him.
"We are committed to carry out all round development in Haryana and provide jobs to the unemployed youth," he said.
Earlier Reports
More from rediff