Sukhwinder Sukhu sworn in as Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister; Kharge, Rahul, Priyanka attend ceremony

Pratibha Chauhan

Shimla, December 11

Sukwhinder Singh Sukhu (58) today became the seventh Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, the second from Hamirpur, as he was administered oath of office and secrecy at the swearing in ceremony, marking a transitional shift in state politics.

Governor Rajendra Arlekar Vishwanath administered the oath to Sukhu, in the presence of top brass of the Congress, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, former Union Minister Anand Sharma, Sachin Pilot and KC Venugopal. Rahul took a break from his Bahart Jodo Yatra to attend the oath ceremony.

A journalist turned politician, Mukesh Agnihotri (60), took oath of minister along with Sukhu to become the first ever deputy chief minister of the hill state. Only Sukhu and Agnihotri took oath today and the cabinet expansion is likely to take place over the next few days.

There was an air of jubilation on The Ridge as people attired in traditional dresses from Kullu and Lahaul Spiti performed the nati (pahari danace) to the beating of dhol nagaras. Sukhu’s 85-year-old mother Sansar Devi was also a witness to this special occasion as she came from her native village in Nadaun to attend the oath ceremony.

Priyanka Gandhi clicked pictures with the new CM’s mother. The CM is likely to start attending office from tomorrow, today being a Sunday.

The change of guard in Himachal Congress, marked by the passing away of six-time Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, was not easy. However, Sukhu stood his ground to be elevated to the top post with Congress crafting an impressive win against the BJP in the Assembly polls.

Pitted against the might of central and state BJP leadership, Congress put up a spirited fight to wrest back power in the hill state. Congress victory shattered the dream of BJP to change the rivaz of change in power in Himachal, every five years. Congress managed to win 40 seats, limiting ruling BJP to 25 segments while Independents emerged victorious in three constituencies.

Out of the seven CMs that Himachal has had, six have been Rajputs, except Shanta Kumar, a Brahmin leader from Kangra, who was CM on two occasions in 1977 and 1990. The other Rajput CMs include Dr YS Parmar, Ram Lal Thakur, Virbhadra Singh, PK Dhumal, Jai Ram Thakur and the latest entrant to the list, Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu.