Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu takes oath as next Himachal Pradesh CM

Mukesh Agnihotri also took oath as the Deputy Chief Minister. He was the leader of the Opposition in the outgoing Assembly

Congress’s Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on December 11 took oath as new Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. He was administered the oath by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar in Shimla.

Mukesh Agnihotri also took oath as the Deputy Chief Minister. He was the leader of the Opposition in the outgoing Assembly.

Also read: Congress wrests Himachal Pradesh from BJP

On December 8, the Congress made a comeback in Himachal Pradesh, by winning 40 seats in the high-stakes electoral contest for the 68-member Legislative Assembly, edging out the ruling BJP, which had appeared confident of returning to power.

The names of Mr. Sukhu, 58, who headed the party’s campaign committee, and Mr. Agnihotri  60, who was the leader of the opposition, were announced by central observers

The names of Sukhu, 58, who headed the party’s campaign committee, and Agnihotri, 60, were announced by central observers Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda after the CLP meeting on December 10 late evening. The party leaders then went to meet Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to stake claim to form the government

“Yesterday, the CLP members had authorised the party high command’ pick the legislature party leader. Today, the party’s high command selected Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu as the Congress Legislator Party leader, who would be the Chief Minister. Also, the party has selected Mukesh Agnihotri as deputy chief minister. The oath would be taken on December 11,” said Mr. Baghel.