Newly elected MLAs of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, today, took oath. Congress had won 4 out of 6 assembly by-polls, while the BJP won two seats. The by-polls were held on June 1.
Former minister and BJP MLA from Dharamshala, Sudhir Sharma was the first to take oath followed by Congress MLA Anuradha Rana from Lahaul and Spiti.
The others who took oath are Congress MLA from Sujanpur, Captain Ranjit Singh, BJP MLA from Barsar, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, Congress MLA from Gagret, Rakesh Kalia and Congress MLA from Kutlehar, Vivek Sharma.
Three out of six new legislators Singh - (Sujanpur), Sharma (Kutlehar), and Rana (Lahaul and Spiti) are first-timers.
Congratulating the new legislators, Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania expressed hope that they would raise issues related to the state and public welfare in the assembly.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the Congress needed just one seat for a full majority in the House and the public has given a befitting reply to the party rebels who sold their soul and contested on BJP ticket.
Meanwhile, leader of the opposition Jai Ram Thakur said the BJP won four Lok Sabha seats and two assembly by-polls and is reviewing the reasons for the defeat of four MLAs in the assembly bypolls.
Rana, who is the first woman to have contested elections from Lahaul and Spiti in 52 years and the second woman ever to win from the assembly segment, said her focus would be on better connectivity, health facilities, and the promotion of sustainable tourism.
Winning the by-election was crucial for the ruling party for stability of the Congress government which now has 38 MLAs in the 65-member House.
Elections in three assembly constituencies, which fell vacant after the resignation of three Independent MLAs, will be held on July 10. These assembly seats fell vacant following the disqualification of Congress rebels for defying the whip to vote in favour of the state government during the budget.
Follow us
