Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu takes oath as Himachal CM in presence of leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi

SHIMLA: Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (58) has been sworn in as the 15th Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. Former opposition leader Mukesh Agnihotri has also taken charge as deputy chief minister. Sukhu took the oath in the presence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi.

#WATCH | Congress leader Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu takes oath as Himachal Pradesh CM, in presence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in Shimla pic.twitter.com/WQDWtKfQyR

— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2022

Chattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Congress leader Ashok Gehlot, B S Hooda and many others attended the function held in Shimla. Sukhvinder Singh was elected as the leader in the assembly party meet held in Shimla last evening.

Himachal Pradesh | Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra along with party president Mallikarjun Kharge and party's state unit chief Pratibha Singh attend CM designate Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu's oath ceremony in Shimla pic.twitter.com/GIo7f7ZVfS

— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2022

Pratibha Singh, PCC chief and wife of late former chief minister Virbhadra Singh, claimed the chief ministerial post. Sukhvinder Singh and Pratibha Singh eyed the post after winning 40 seats in the 68-member assembly. This had put the congress leadership under pressure. However, more than half of the MLAs supported Sukhvinder Singh.