Virbhadra Singh sworn-in as Himachal Chief Minister for a record sixth time

Congress leader Virbhadra Singh took oath as the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh at the historic Ridge Maidan of Shimla at 10.30 am on Tuesday.

He was sworn-in as Himachal Chief Minister for a record sixth time, nine other Congress MLAs also take oath as ministers.

Governor Urmila Singh administered the oath of office and secrecy to him.

Vidya Stokes, Kaul Singh Thakur, GS Bali, Sujan Singh Pathania, Thakur Singh Bharmauri, Mukesh Agnihotri, Sudhir Sharma, Dhani Ram Shandil and Prakash Chowdhary are expected to be inducted in the new Cabinet.

Virbhadra Singh will be the Chief Minister for the sixth time. He was Chief Minister five times between 1983 and 1985; 1985 and 1990; 1993 and 1998 and 2003 and 2007.

The Congress, which put up a spirited campaign under Virbhadra Singh, returned to power after winning 36 seats in Himachal Pradesh.

The results of the Himachal assembly polls were crucial for the future of Virbhadra Singh, who has been the chief minister of the state for five times.

Virbhadra Singh, who is the President of Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee, won from Shimla (Rural) constituency defeating his BJP opponent Ishwar Rohal by 19,033 votes.

78-year-old Virbhadra Singh, who is a sitting member of Lok Sabha, had to resign from the Union Cabinet over allegations of corruption.