Cong puts up a united show as Sukkhu takes over as HPCC chief

The 48-year-old leader was appointed as the HP Congress chief last week and he took over the reins from Virbhadra Singh.

Sukkhu, former Himachal NSUI chief and Youth Congress president, is a two-time MLA. However, he had lost from Nadaun seat in the last Assembly elections.

Besides chief minister, AICC General Secretary and incharge of Himachal Birender Singh, Irrigation and Public Health Minister Vidya Stokes and several other ministers and senior party leaders were present at the state Congress headquarters here on the occasion.

Immediately after assuming the office, Sukkhu sought the blessings of senior party leaders saying, "The challenge has started now but I am prepared to face it with the blessings of the seniors."

Sukkhu also expressed his thanks to AICC president Sonia Gandhi for giving him the responsibility. "Coming from an ordinary background, I feel proud that I have been afforded an opportunity to head party in Himachal," he said.

He said he had worked with many former PCC chiefs in different capacities and was confident that he would be able to run the organisation with their support and his own experience as state Youth Congress and NSUI chief previously.

"My prime duty now is to ensure coordination between the government and the party and become the voice of party workers and people before the government," he said.

Sukkhu said he would take everyone along and give due regard to the feelings of youth wings and other frontal organisations of the party.

"Our first task is to ensure victory of the party in 2014 Lok Sabha polls," he said.

Birender described Sukkhu's appointment by the Congress president as a step forward to clear the way for second line leadership in Himachal.