Congress likely to retain control over SMC

Shimla, May 25 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh unit of the Congress is set to maintain its stronghold over the Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC), winning 12 seats out of a total of 25, while leading in three other wards.

The BJP was a distinct second with eight seats only, its best performance till date in the corporation elections, while the CPM increased its tally to two by winning the Malayana seat (ward no 20), apart from the Summerhill (ward no five).

The Congress was leading in all the three wards of Chamyana (ward no 19), Kasumpati (ward no 21) and Patyog (Ward no 23) where counting was still continuing.

The BJP, which was expecting to cash in on the state government's four years of anti-incumbency factor, could manage eight seats only and political analysts and locals felt wrong candidate selection by the party marred its performance.

Results of these local elections are being watched keenly by the political parties, analysts and common people with the state assembly elections due in February 2008.

UNI