Shimla: A day after being convicted in a corruption case, former Union Communications Minister Sukh Ram on July 6 resigned from the presidentship of Himachal Vikas Congress (HVC) and named his son as his successor.

In his announcement at a rally to mark the sixth anniversary of the founding of his party at Ghumarwin in Bilaspur district, Sukhram said Anil Sharma, a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament, will take over the reins of HVC, an ally of BJP.

Sukhram was convicted by a Delhi court on July 5 and sentenced to three years RI after holding him guilty of abusing his official position in awarding telecom contract to a private firm and causing a loss of Rs. 1.68 crore to the government.

Sukh Ram said he was stepping down in view of his conviction so that the image of the party remained intact.

He, however, clarified that he would assume leadership of the party once he is exonerated of all the charges.

He said he would contest the forthcoming Assembly election in Himachal Pradesh and that his party would contest all the 68 Assembly seats. HVC has currently two members of legislative assembly (MLAs).

Soon after the announcement, Anil Sharma formally donned the mantle of the new HVC chief.

PTI