The Himachal Herald, Shimla
Mr. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu become 15th Chief Minister Of Himachal Pradesh. A product of student politics, senior Congress leader and four-time MLA Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has risen from the ranks. Having a humble background, his elevation to the CM’s post without any political legacy is inspiring.
Sukhu, born on March 27, 1964, is a four-term legislator from Nadaun in Hamirpur district. He has been a hardcore party organisation man. Son of a road transport corporation driver, Sukhu had a modest beginning and used to run a milk counter at Chhota Shimla in his early days.
He will be the first Congress leader from Lower Himachal comprising areas merged in the state in 1966 such as Nalagarh, Una, Hamirpur, Kangra and lower hills of Kullu to occupy the top post. However, he will be the second CM from Hamirpur district, after BJP’s Prem Kumar Dhumal.
A staunch organisational man, Sukhu had been the HPCC president for six years. He had also been the chief of the National Students Union of India (NSUI) and the Youth Congress. As HPCC chief, he had worked relentlessly to strengthen the party.
He had been a councillor of the Shimla Municipal Corporation twice from 1992-97 and 1997 to 2002 but had never been a minister or the chairman of a board or corporation in his almost three decades-long political career.
Sukhu was active in politics right from his college and university days. He did MA and LLB from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU). “As a schoolboy, I liked helping everyone in my locality and most people called me a leader. So, I always had the inclination to serve people,” he says.
He was elected to the Assembly from the Nadaun seat for the first time in 2003. He was again elected MLA in 2007 and 2017. He also remained the Chief Whip of the Congress Legislature Party from 2007 to 2012.
Sukhu had the support of a majority of the 40 Congress MLAs. Also, he hails from the dominant Rajput community strengthened his claim to the CM’s post. He has always been a loyalist of Rahul Gandhi.
The Congress has done very well in Sukhu’s home district of Hamirpur by winning four of the five seats while one seat went to an Independent candidate. The party has also done well in the Hamirpur Lok Sabha constituency comprising Hamirpur, Una and Bilaspur districts.
Sukhu had to struggle in his college days, as he worked as a newspaper agent. He travels in an Alto car, drives himself and lives a simple life. His wife Kamlesh is a house-maker and daughter of a retired Army man. He has two daughters, who are studying in Delhi.
Rise from student politics
-Born: March 27, 1964
-NSUI president: 1989-95
-Youth Congress chief: 1998-2008
-State Youth Congress general secretary: 1998-2008
-HPCC general secretary: 2008-12
-State Congress president: January 2013 to January 2019
-Shimla Municipal councillor: 1992-97, 1997-2002
-Elected to the Vidhan Sabha in 2003, 2007, 2017 and 2022
As colour can’t lose its ability to give colour after being broken several times. Similarly, I also can’t unlearn the art of spreading love and smile, after being broken, several times by my life !
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RP Negi
Editor in Chief
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