Himachal CM Oath Taking Ceremony HIGHLIGHTS: PM Modi, Dalai Lama Congratulate Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu
Himachal CM Oath-Taking Ceremony Live: Stay tuned to this page for all the latest updates and breaking news on CM designate Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu's oath-taking ceremony in Himachal Pradesh.
PM Narendra Modi and Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama have congratulated Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu on becoming Himachal Pradesh's new Chief Minister.
Why do you all take Rahul Gandhi seriously, all institutions are working well, if not how we (BJP) lost in Himachal Pradesh. Whenever they (Congress) are defeated they blame it on institutions (Election Commission): Union Minister Pralhad Joshi in Hubli. (ANI)
"We will deliver on our promises to the public in the first Cabinet meeting. The Old Pension Scheme will be restored...Earlier people said Congress will not come to power in any state, but today we have stopped BJP's 'rath'": Himachal Pradesh Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri, as quoted by ANI.
"We want to implement whatever we have promised as soon as possible": Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said in Shimla, as quoted by ANI.
Congress leader Mukesh Agnihotri takes oath as the deputy chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, ANI reported.
Congress leader Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu takes oath as the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh at a ceremony in Shimla, ANI reported.
Congress leaders Ashok Gehlot, Bhupesh Baghel and BS Hooda are in attendance at the swearing-in ceremony of CM designate Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu in Shimla
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra along with party president Mallikarjun Kharge and party's state unit chief Pratibha Singh attend CM designate Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu's oath ceremony in Shimla
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and the party's general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra arrive at Sanjauli helipad to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Himachal Pradesh CM designate Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu.
This is a new beginning for Congress as well as the people of Himachal Pradesh. Rahul Gandhi’s yatra against inflation, unemployment, will become stronger from Himachal: Ashok Gehlot, Rajasthan CM.
This is a victory that belongs to the people of Himachal Pradesh. This is an example of what emerges when the Congress party fights unitedly: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge at Shimla.
Himachal Pradesh CM designate Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu receives his mother Sansar Devi at Sanjauli helipad, ahead of his swearing-in ceremony in Shimla today.
Himachal Pradesh CM designate Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu meets State Congress Chief Pratibha Virbhadra Singh at her residence. She is the party's state chief and we all work under her. I am here to extend an invite to her for the oath-taking ceremony, he says.
I am thankful to the people of the state. We will continue to support him so that he fulfills all the promises he has made: Kamlesh Thakur, wife of Himachal Pradesh CM designate Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu ahead of her husband's oath-taking.
Background
Himachal CM Oath-Taking Ceremony Live: The name of Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, a four-time MLA from Nadaun in Hamirpur district, was announced by central observers Saturday evening, ending the suspense over the choice of Himachal Pradesh chief minister. Mukesh Agnihotri, a five-time MLA and opposition leader in the previous assembly, was approved for the position of deputy CM.
The Congress' central observers, Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel and former Haryana CM Bhupendra Hooda, as well as Himachal in-charge Rajiv Shukla, met Sukhu, Agnihotri, and Pratibha Singh before the CLP meeting at the Vidhan Sabha.
Sukhu and Agnihotri went straight to Governor Rajinder Arlekar after the CLP meeting and pressed their claim to lead the government.
The ceremony will take place at the historic Ridge at 1.30 pm on Sunday.
The unveiling of the new CM was accompanied by high drama, as archrivals Sukhu and Pratibha Singh were adamant and central observers struggled to reach an agreement.
Pratibha Singh supporters chanted and even blocked the gate of the hotel where the observers were having talks. They demanded that Pratibha Singh be appointed CM and that the legacy of six-time CM Virbhadra Singh not be overlooked. They also chanted chants against the party's leadership.
Pratibha Singh constantly stated that the election was won in Virbhadra Singh's name and that his legacy should not be overlooked. During the elections, she said she travelled the entire state and spoke at gatherings in every constituency.
After the results were announced and the contest for leadership heated up, the party's infighting came to the fore. Even after the CLP passed a resolution authorising AICC president Malikarjun Kharge to choose the leader, intense campaigning for the top position continued.
Sukhu declared immediately after the CLP meeting that the Congress is unified and will create a stable government, and that, in addition to the 40 MLAs in the 68-member House, three independents have also expressed support for the government.
Sukhu stated that his government would carry out all of the party's commitments and asked for everyone's support. Following his discussion with the governor, he contacted outgoing Chief Minister Jairam Thakur.
Sukhu will be the second chief minister from Hamirpur district in Himachal's lower hills and the first Congress chief minister from merged territories. The first was Prem Kumar Dhumal, a renowned BJP leader who served as Chief Minister twice.
The Congress party ousted the BJP, winning 40 of the 68 seats, as the state elected to keep the "Riwaz," or tradition, of changing the administration every five years. The BJP received 25 seats, while independents received three. The AAP came up empty.
While Chief Minister Jairam Thakur received a record 36,000 votes, the margin of victory in eight seats was less than 1,000 votes, with the Congress winning the Bhorang SC) seat by the narrowest margin of 60 votes.
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