What Sukhvinder Sukhu's mother said before he took oath as Himachal CM

Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, a four-time MLA from Nadaun, took oath as the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister on Sunday as the Congress party returned to power in the hill state after defeating the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Ahead of the official ceremony, Sukhu went to receive his mother at Sanjauli helipad in Shimla. His mother Sansar Devi got emotional on the occasion. “He has been a 'Sewadar', he should serve the people of the state,” she was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

CM Sukhu was also accompanied by his wife - Kamlesh Kumari and two daughters in the swearing-in ceremony. He introduced his family to Kharge, Gandhis and other Congress leaders.

The grand old party won 40 of 68 seats in the Himachal assembly election, while the BJP was restricted to 25 seats. However, the difference between the vote shares of the two parties was less than 1 per cent.

ALSO READ: Himachal Pradesh election result highlights: Congress wins 40 seats, returns to power; BJP claims 25

Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, former president Rahul Gandhi, general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot, Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, attended the swearing-in ceremony held at the ridge in central Shimla. Along with Sukhu, deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri also took the oaths of office and secrecy.

Sukhu was born on March 27, 1964 in Sera village of Nadaun tehsil in Hamirpur district. He was a student leader and later joined the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), a student wing of Congress. In his early days, he reportedly sold milk in Chhota Shimla in his early days. He gradually rose through the ranks to become CM of the state.

Deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri was the leader of the opposition in the outgoing assembly. He has been serving as the MLA from the Haroli seat.