Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu takes oath as 15th CM of Himachal, Mukesh Agnihotri as his deputy

Digital Desk: Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the former state chairman of the Congress, took the oath at 1:30 on Sunday as the 15th chief minister of Himachal Pradesh. In a CLP meeting held in the state on Saturday, the Congress leadership chose Sukhu as the next chief minister, just two days after the party ousted the BJP by gaining 40 seats in the 68-member Assembly. 

Sukhu, who led the Congress' campaign committee in Himachal Pradesh, has been named the state's new Chief Minister, Sukhu, 58, is a member of the Hamirpur district assembly from Nadaun. 

Mukesh Agnihotri, a five-time MLA, has been appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister. 

"Mukesh Agnihotri, the Deputy Chief Minister-designate, and I will collaborate. I began my political career when I was 17 years old. I'll never forget what the Congress party has done for me "According to the news agency ANI Sukhu told reporters. 

Sukhu is a four-time MLA and past president of the Himachal Pradesh Congress. He is close to party leader Rahul Gandhi.

He did not, however, get along well with six-time Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who died in July of last year. 

"It is a source of pride for our country that the son of an ordinary family will be our Chief Minister, due to our leaders, Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge Ji, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi, who led a vigorous campaign. My best wishes and support to my new Chief Minister, Sukhu "Anand Sharma, a Congress politician, posted on Twitter.