Shimla, March 2
Octogenarian Congress leader Sukh Ram’s son Anil Sharma was inducted into the Virbhadra Singh Cabinet today, signalling truce between the one-time political foes.

Having remained bitter political rivals during their long careers, Virbhadra Singh and Sukh Ram shared perfect bonhomie at Anil Sharma’s induction ceremony.

Sukh Ram had supported Virbhadra in the fight for the post of Chief Minister after the Assembly elections, bringing the two leaders, who have dominated Himachal politics for almost five decades, together.

Sharma was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Urmila Singh at the Raj Bhawan. He has been given the portfolio of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj and Animal Husbandry.

Chief Secretary Sudripta Roy conducted the proceedings. Sharma was initially scheduled to take oath on February 23. Invites had been sent out by the Raj Bhawan for the ceremony, but it was put off on the night of February 22 at the insistence of the party high command due to infighting. Later, the Chief Minister met AICC chief Sonia Gandhi and sought approval to induct Sharma.

Sharma won the Assembly seat for the third time from Mandi Sadar. He also won in 1993 and 2007.