HP BJP chief confident of returning to power in Feb 2008

Kullu, Jan 20 (UNI) The newly elected president of the Himachal Pradesh BJP, Jairam Thakur, today expressed confidence that the party will return to power after the next assembly elections in February 2008.

Addressing party activists in Kullu district after arriving here for the first time after being named the party president, he said that the ruling Congress, which had failed in fulfilling its elections promises, would be voted out by the people of the state.

Ruling out any dissensions within the BJP, Mr Thakur said the party was united in its fight against the Congress Government that had failed on all fronts and was responsible for widespread corruption in the state.

Mr Thakur said the rising prices of essential commodities had made the lives of common man miserable. ''The successive Congress Governments have failed to bring down the prices of essential commodities, which skyrocketed beyond the reach of the public.'' Referring to the Ski village being set up in Manali area of the district, he said the state government had allowed its construction without considering its fallouts.

Earlier, the party workers on his arrival here gave the BJP president a warm welcome.

UNI