NEW DELHI: The BJP on Sunday announced the name of five-time
MLA Jai Ram Thakur as its legislature party leader+
in
Himachal Pradesh, a move that confirms his selection as the state's chief minister.
BJP MLAs, led by Thakur, are expected to meet the Governor to stake claim to form the government in the state soon.
Addressing a press conference after accepting his new position, Thakur thanked his party's leaders, and promised to leave "no stone unturned" to meet the expectations of the state's people.
"We were waiting for a BJP government in Himachal Pradesh. Now the state is 'Congress-mukt'," he added.
The BJP delegation met state governor Acharya Dev Vrat to stake claim to form the government.
"The swearing in ceremony will take place on December 27. PM Modi will be in attendance," Thakur said.
Thakur is the first chief minister from the state's Mandi district.
The top contenders for the post included Seraj legislator Thakur, former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, Union health minister JP Nadda and Shimla MLA Suresh Bhardwaj.
The decision in favour of Thakur was taken at a meeting of BJP MLAs, after his name was proposed by Suresh Bharadwaj and Mahender Singh and seconded by other members, reported news agency PTI.
His selection comes after days of discussion and consultation between the party's central observers Nirmala Sitharaman and Narendra Singh Tomar, BJP core group members, and RSS functionaries.
Lack of consensus among the newly-elected MLAs+
had resulted in Sitharaman and Tomar returning to Delhi from Shimla on Saturday to consult with the party's central leadership.
The BJP rode a massive wave of anti-incumbency in Himachal Pradesh to oust the ruling Congress, winning a stunning 44 of the 68 seats in the Assembly.
(With inputs from agencies)
