Himachal CM Swearing-In: Sukhvinder Sukhu To Take Oath At Shimla’s Ridge Today

The revelation of the new CM was loaded with much drama as the key observers battled to reach an accord. Outside the hotel where observers were meeting, supporters of Pratibha Singh chanted slogans.

New Delhi: Suspense over the choice of Himachal Pradesh chief minister ended Saturday evening after the Congress Legislature Party put its stamp on the name of Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, a four-time MLA from Nadaun in Hamirpur district as announced by central observers. The name of Mukesh Agnihotri, a five-time MLA, and leader of the opposition in the outgoing assembly was approved for the post of deputy CM.

Before the CLP meeting that took place in the Vidhan Sabha, the Congress party’s central observers Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel and former Haryana CM Bhupendra Hooda along with Himachal in-charge Rajiv Shukla met Sukhu, Agnihotri, and Pratibha Singh.

Immediately after the CLP meeting, Sukhu and Agnihotri called on Governor Rajinder Arlekar and staked a claim to form the government. The swearing-in ceremony will take place at the historic Ridge at 1.30 PM Sunday.  

Slogan-Shouting By Pratibha Singh’s Supporters

A high drama preceded the announcement of the new CM as Sukhu and Pratibha Singh were adamant and the central observers had a hard time arriving at a consensus.  

Supporters of Pratibha Singh raised slogans outside the hotel where the observers were holding consultations and even blocked its gate. They were demanding that Pratibha Singh be made the CM and the legacy of six-time CM Virbhadra Singh not be ignored. They also raised slogans against the party's high command.

The protesters left the meeting after the observers and Pratibha Singh headed for the Vidhan Sabha, the venue of the CLP meeting. Within minutes, the supporters of Pratibha Singh also reached the Vidhan Sabha complex and continued with their slogan shouting.

While Sukhu expressed his gratitude to the Gandhi family for reposing trust in him, a visibly upset Pratibha Singh said she accepts the decision of the high command.

Pratibha Singh repeatedly asserted that the election was won in the name of Virbhadra Singh and that his legacy must not be ignored. She said she had toured the entire state during the elections and addressed meetings in all the constituencies.

The infighting in the party came to the fore after the results were declared and the race for leadership heated up. Intense lobbying for the top post continued even after the CLP passed a resolution, authorising AICC president Malikarjun Kharge to name the leader.

Sukhu Calls On Outgoing BJP CM Jairam Thakur

Immediately after the CLP meeting, Sukhu asserted that the Congress was united and will form a stable government and that besides the 40 MLAs in the 68-member House, three independents have also extended support to the government.

Sukhu said his government would implement all the promises made by the party, and sought the support of all. He also called on outgoing chief minister Jairam Thakur after meeting the governor.

Sukhu will be the second chief minister from Hamirpur district in the lower hills of Himachal and the first Congress CM from merged areas. The first was veteran BJP leader Prem Kumar Dhumal, who served as CM twice.

All the past Congress chief ministers were from old Himachal — Dr YS Parmar was from the backward Sirmaur district, while Thakur Ram Lal was from the Shimla district. Two-time BJP chief minister Shanta Kumar was from the largest Kangra district with 15 Assembly seats.

The Congress won four out of five seats in Hamirpur district and one seat was bagged by an independent while the BJP drew a blank in the party’s stronghold and home district of Prem Kumar Dhumal and his son, Union Information and Broadcasting minister, Anurag Thakur.

Meanwhile, the infighting in Congress is drawing flak from the public and social media is abuzz with posts asking the party leaders to stop infighting, work for the people and implement the poll promises.