Sukhvinder Sukhu sworn in as 15th Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister

Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, a former Congress state chief, became the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh on Sunday (Dec 11). The leader of the opposition in the outgoing Assembly, Mukesh Agnihotri, was sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister. The ceremony took place in an open space at the historic Ridge at around 2 pm on Sunday with senior Congress leaders in attendance such as Mallikarjun Kharge, Ashok Gehlot, and Rahul Gandhi among others. He was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.

Sukhu expressed gratitude to the Congress party and the Gandhi family for giving him this opportunity and stated that he is happy to be the Chief Minister despite coming from an ordinary family. 

“I am happy that I am going to be CM despite being from an ordinary family. I am thankful to the Congress party and the Gandhi family for giving me this opportunity. My mother never stopped me from being in politics. I have reached here today because of her blessings,” said Sukhu.

In the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections this year, the Congress party won an absolute majority, securing 40 seats, which is six more than the required number of 34 seats in the 68-member House.