Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who once sold milk, will be state’s new Chief Minister
Team News Riveting
Shimla, December 10
The four-time MLA and the son of a bus driver, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu will be the new Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh.
He was elected as the leader of Congress Legislature Party (CLP). Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel announced the decision of the CLP meeting held today in Shimla and said Sukhu would take oath as the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh on December 11.
Besides party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi will be among other seniors to attend the swearing-in ceremony.
Coming from a humble origin, Sukhu’s selection is seen as a response to BJP’s Amit Shah dig that he (Sukhu) won’t get the post as he is not “the son or daughter of somebody”. Shah made the comment during the election campaign in Himachal Pradesh, where Congress unseated BJP by bagging 40 seats out of 68.
The 58-year-old Chief Minister designated of Himachal Pradesh comes from an ordinary family. His father was a bus driver while he used to sell milk in Shimla to earn for the family. He began his political career as a student leader at a college in Sanjauli near Shimla, graduating to Himachal Pradesh University campus polls in the 1990s; and then rose through the ranks.
“A matter of pride that the son of an ordinary family will be our chief minister, thanks to our leadership,” senior Congress leader Anand Sharma tweeted, thanking the Gandhis and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge.
His chief rival was Pratibha Singh, the state Congress president who draws her power from the legacy of her late husband, Virbhadra Singh, an ex-royal and six-time chief minister. Virbhadra Singh’s son Vikramaditya Singh is likely to get a significant ministry under Sukhu.
However, Pratibha Singh had made a play for the top post citing “Raja” Virbhadra Singh’s legacy. But Sukhu had the numbers as maximum MLAs supported him while his grassroots image further consolidated his claim. Another rival, Mukesh Agnihotri, had also started politics under the shadow of the Virbhadra Singh, as a journalist-cum-protege. He will be Deputy Chief Minister.
