Top Congress leaders rejoiced the grand old party's return to the hill state of Himachal Pradesh ahead of the oath event where Sukhvinder Sukhu was sworn in as the state's 15th Chief Minister. Sukhu - said to be a close aide of Rahul Gandhi - was finally picked for the top job on Saturday after a spell of intense deliberation and speculation.
Rahul Gandhi, who was leading the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Rajasthan, briefly paused the foot march and reached Shimla on Sunday afternoon to attend the mega show of strength. As he was received by Sukhu and Congress's state unit chief - Pratibha Virbhadra Singh - he was reminded of an exchange. "We had promised that we will get Congress back in Himachal Pradesh," Pratibha Virbhadra Singh told him in Shimla, news agency ANI reported.
To this, Rahul responded saying, "Congratulations". Not just Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who was also a crucial part of the Congress campaign in the state, also attended Sunday's oath event where Mukesh Agnihotri was sworn as the deputy chief minister. "We are very happy," she told reporters soon after her arrival.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot was also among other top leaders attending the event. "This is a new beginning for Congress as well as the people of Himachal Pradesh. Rahul Gandhi’s yatra against inflation, unemployment, will become stronger from Himachal," he was quoted as saying by ANI.
{{/usCountry}}Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot was also among other top leaders attending the event. "This is a new beginning for Congress as well as the people of Himachal Pradesh. Rahul Gandhi’s yatra against inflation, unemployment, will become stronger from Himachal," he was quoted as saying by ANI.
{{/usCountry}}"I believe that Sukhu will be able to deliver all the promises given by the party. The people of Himachal Pradesh always supported Congress. We all will work together for the development of the state," Sachin Pilot stressed.
High drama has been witnessed in the state ever since counting of votes began on Thursday. There was buzz about attempts of poaching of MLAs as soon as the Congress started gaining leaders over the BJP. On Saturday, supporters of Pratibha Singh, wife of former CM Virbhadra Singh, carried out protests after she was not picked for the top job, triggering speculation of rifts.
But Sukhu on Sunday morning was photographed inviting the leader to the oath.
(With inputs from ANI)