A felicitation ceremony for party workers was organised at the Congress party office Rajiv Bhavan in Shimla on Monday to celebrate the election of Congress leader Anurag Sharma as a Rajya Sabha member. Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said it was a proud and happy day for party workers because a worker who rose from the organisation had become a Rajya Sabha MP.
The Chief Minister said that for the Rajya Sabha election, the Congress high command had asked the state unit to suggest the names of four district presidents. From those names, senior leader Rahul Gandhi selected Anurag Sharma.
He said BJP leaders had been making various comments about the Rajya Sabha election, but there was no dissatisfaction among Congress leaders. This was the reason Anurag Sharma was elected unopposed as a Member of Parliament. He added that now in Parliament BJP’s Anurag will face Congress’s Anurag, and he was capable of giving a strong response.
Sukhu said that by giving a Rajya Sabha ticket to an ordinary party worker, Rahul Gandhi had sent a clear message that in the upcoming Assembly elections serious consideration would also be given to grassroots workers, including those from NSUI and the Congress organisation. He urged party workers to be prepared for future challenges and said the present Congress government was moving forward with public welfare schemes.
To improve the education sector, the state government has decided to open 150 CBSE-based schools across Himachal Pradesh, including in backward areas. These schools will focus on the overall development of students. In addition, Rajiv Gandhi Day-Boarding Schools are also being established in the state. He said the government was working towards transforming the entire education system of the state over the next five to six years.
Sukhu said improving the health sector was also one of the government’s priorities. He said that within a year, modern technology similar to that available at AIIMS Delhi would be introduced in health institutions across the state. High-end machines were also being installed in hospitals so that patients could receive advanced treatment within the state.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said that a common Congress worker from Himachal Pradesh had been sent to Delhi as a Member of Parliament. He said Anurag Sharma would now have important responsibilities and challenges ahead and would have to fight for the rights of Himachal Pradesh in Delhi.
In his address, newly elected MP Anurag Sharma thanked Chief Minister Sukhu and the Congress high command for giving him the opportunity. He said the decision had sent a positive message to party workers across the country and boosted their morale.
Sharma said being elected to the Rajya Sabha was a matter of great pride for him and he would make every possible effort to meet the expectations of the people of the state. He also said he would work continuously to promote tourism in Himachal Pradesh.
On the occasion, various organisations honoured Chief Minister Sukhu and Anurag Sharma. Several ministers, MLAs, party leaders and workers were present.
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