Shimla:

Newly elected MLAs took oath at  Shimla today. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu participated in the oath-taking ceremony of three newly elected MLAs—Kamlesh Thakur, Hardeep Singh Bawa, and Ashish Sharma—at the H.P. Vidhan Sabha. The ceremony, administered by Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania, saw the Chief Minister extending his congratulations to the elected representatives.

The event was attended by Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, Deputy Speaker Vinay Kumar, along with various Ministers and MLAs, highlighting the bipartisan nature of the occasion.

In his interaction with the media following the ceremony, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu emphasized the electorate’s rejection of political maneuvers, particularly referencing recent by-elections triggered by attempts to destabilize the government. He accused the BJP of orchestrating a conspiracy to undermine the state’s elected leadership, a move he claims was thwarted by the decisive response from voters in favor of the Congress Party.

Chief Minister Sukhu noted that the Congress Party’s representation in the Assembly has strengthened, now comprising 40 MLAs. He called upon BJP leaders to cease obstructing developmental projects and to engage constructively in governance efforts for the state’s welfare.

Reflecting on his administration’s achievements, the Chief Minister highlighted the creation of 28,000 government sector jobs under the current Congress regime—a marked increase over the previous BJP administration’s tenure, which he criticized for legal entanglements in job creation initiatives. He further lamented the economic challenges inherited from previous governments, asserting that proactive measures have nonetheless bolstered the state’s economy by 20 percent.

Regarding disaster relief efforts, Chief Minister Sukhu expressed disappointment over the Center’s alleged failure to provide assistance despite appeals to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

In conclusion, Chief Minister reaffirmed his commitment to advancing Himachal Pradesh’s development agenda, promising continued dedication towards achieving self-reliance and prosperity for the state’s populace.