People stood lined-up all along the way as Dhumal drove amidst a cheering crowd and chanting of slogans.

Newly-elected MLAs, including J.P. Nadda, a former minister, led their supporters to accord a rousing welcome to Dhumal, who stopped at several points to accept greetings of BJP supporters.

It took Dhumal almost the entire day to travel the 60 km distance between Namhol and Border of Hamirpur district. In the evening, supporters also lighted candles as they waited for the new Chief Minister.

Earlier, addressing BJP workers in Bilaspur, Dhumal announced 50 per cent reservation for women in Zila Parishads, Panchayat Samitis and Gram Panchayats, Municipal Corporation, Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayat elections.

The representation to women in various public offices would help them in social empowerment, he said.

To provide social security and legal protection to the aged, Dhumal said the Parents’ Maintenance Act, which Himachal Pradesh had passed some years back, would be implemented in letter and spirit.

He said the government would take note of all such complaints where parents were not being looked after properly. “We will not hesitate to implement the penal provisions of the Act to protect the interests of the old,” he said. Dhumal also gave an assurance to the oustees of Bhakra dam and said their problems would be tackled on priority basis. Dhumal said women health care-oriented ‘Asha’ project would be revived and recruitments would be made from rural women.