Sukhvinder Sukhu was sworn in as Himachal Pradesh’s chief minister on Sunday. Top Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge were present for the big event.
Congress leader Mukesh Agnihotri also took oath as the Deputy Chief Minister along with few cabinet ministers. “We’ve given 10 guarantees and we will implement them. We will give transparent and honest government and will implement OPS (Old Pension Scheme) in the first cabinet meeting,” said CM Sukhu.
“We are happy. We want to implement whatever we have promised as soon as possible,” said Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra while talking to the reporters.
“This is a new beginning for Congress as well as the people of Himachal Pradesh. Rahul Gandhi’s yatra against inflation and unemployment will become stronger from Himachal,” Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot said.
“We will deliver on our promises to the public in the first Cabinet meeting. The Old Pension Scheme will be restored…Earlier people said Congress will not come to power in any state, but today we have stopped BJP’s ‘rath’,” Himachal Pradesh Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri said.
Sukhu (58) will be the first Congress leader from Lower Himachal — comprising areas merged in Himachal in 1966 such as Nalagarh, Una, Hamirpur, Kangra and lower hills of Kullu — to occupy the top post. He will be the second chief minister from Hamirpur district, after BJP’s Prem Kumar Dhumal.
