Virbhadra Singh will be the new Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh with the Congress Legislative Party on Tuesday unanimously electing him as its leader.
His name was proposed by state PCC president Vidya Stokes, one of the two front runners for the post.
The name of Singh, three times chief minister, was seconded by Gangu Ram and Rangila Ram Rao.
Congress which has won 40 seats in the 68 member Assembly is set to form the government in the state.
Singh said he would be leaving for Delhi for a meeting with Congress President Sonia Gandhi to discuss the composition of the new ministry.
Mohsina Kidwai, AICC General secretary and in charge of Himachal Pradesh, told reporters after the CLP meeting that Singh's name for the coveted post had Gandhi's approval.