Congress, BJP confident of winning HP polls

Shimla, Dec 27 (UNI) Both the Congress and the BJP have expressed confidence that they would emerge victorious in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, which were held in two phases on November 14 and December 19.

While the Congress claims that phenomenal development works by the state government during the last four and half years would ensure its victory in the elections, the BJP was confident of winning about 45 seats in the hustlings.

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said developmental works of his congress government would help the party in coming back to power in the state.

''The party will form the next government in the state in any condition,'' he asserted.

Sources within the party said it was also pinning its hopes on a few rebel party candidates who were expected to emerge victorious in these elections.

On the other hand, BJP's chief ministerial candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal has already said that the party would win at least 45 seats and form the government.

''In the worst-to worst scenario, the party is expected to win at least 35 to 36 seats to form the next government,'' he added.

UNI