Shimla: Former chief minister Virbhadra Singh on Thursday expressed confidence that the Congress Party would form the government in Himachal Pradesh.
On being asked who will become the next CM of the state, Singh said, “Sonia Gandhi will decide” on the issue. “I was tasked with strengthening the party in the state,” he added.
The Congress veteran was not at all surprised with his party leading in the initial trends.
"The counting of votes has begun and the Congress Party is leading. The Congress Party will again come back to power," he had earlier told the media here.
The results of the Himachal Assembly polls are crucial for the future of Virbhadra Singh, who has been the chief minister of the state for five times.
78-year-old Virbhadra Singh, who had to resign from the Union Cabinet over allegations of corruption, was appointed the Congress Party's chief in the state just days before the polling.
Congress general secretary and state in-charge of Himachal Pradesh, Virender Singh, said Himachal is one of the most educated state of India and the results reflect the aspirations of the educated as well as the youth of the state, who want development.
As per the latest reports, the Congress is leading in 35 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is ahead in 25 seats.
Votes are being counted at 39 centres under heavy security. The Congress and the BJP are contesting on all 68 seats.
The BJP won 41 seats in the last Assembly polls. The Congress bagged 23 seats and the BSP got one seat.
(With ANI inputs)
First Published: Thursday, December 20, 2012, 11:36