Himachal Pradesh gets first ever Deputy CM as Mukesh Agnihotri takes oath

Himachal Presh got its first-ever Deputy Chief Minister on Sunday, when Mukesh Agnihotri was inducted into cabinet.

Apparently, move was taken by Congress to accommodate Agnihotri – leer of opposition in outgoing assembly – who was one of stronger candidates for Chief Minister’s post.

Since party came to power in state earlier in week, several factions have asserted ir claims to top post.

party has been quick on its heels to assu bruised egos and prevent factionalism to threaten newly-formed government. However, such dissensions in party are t new.

In 1967, dissidents threatened to topple government heed by n chief minister Dr. YS Parmar and support a -confidence motion moved by Opposition.

Hectic activity was witnessed in Vidhan Sabha and three senior Congress MLAs Thakur Karam Singh, Pt Pam Dev, and Vidya Dhar were closeted with Chief Minister to prevent m from throwing ir lot with opposition. When three leers returned to house y opposed -confidence motion.

As per bargain, Karam Singh and Pt Pam Dev h n been inducted as cabinet ministers and Vidya Dhar as deputy minister but still, deputy chief minister was appointed.

Again in 1993, when Congress got 56 out of 68 seats, party was sharply divided into Virbhra Singh and Sukh Ram groups, with finally Virbhra Singh chosen as leer and Anil Sharma, son of Sukh Ram, inducted into cabinet. But again deputy chief minister was appointed.

In present government, which would be expanded in near future, both, CM and Deputy CM, are from Hamirpur Parliamentary constituency, represented by BJP leer Anurag Thakur, Union Minister for Information and Brocasting and Sports and Youth Services.

party has also taken caste factor into consideration going with Sukhu, a Rajput, and Agnihotri, who is a Brahmin.