CM confident of returning to power after polls

Shimla, Oct 11 (UNI) Expressing confident that Congress Government will return to power after the two phase assembly elections in November 14 and December 19, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said they will return with more seats this time.

''We welcome the Election Commission's announcement. We are prepared for elections and there will be peaceful elections in the state,'' he said in a release here from US where he is to secure funds from the World Bank and investments from major corporations for the state.

Mr Singh, while welcoming the two-phase elections, said the Congress would form governments both in Himachal and Gujarat with popular mandate from the people who were tired of parties trying to divide the society in the name of religion and regionalism.

Without naming the BJP, he said these parties were the biggest security threat inside the country and advised people to remain vigilant against these forces.

Reiterating the party's commitment for all round development of the state, he said,'' we will repeat the history and win the election this time with greater margin''.

''The people of the state know which government will provide them electricity, school, hospital and roads in great numbers.

They don't want to stop the current momentum of developmental work in the state and go backwards.'' The Chief Minister said the Congress was a united party and have a vision for Himachal. ''We have development track record and commitment to make it a better place for everyone.'' The Congress Government has an impressive development record in the state and had provided a corruption free administration, and was successful to checking prices besides providing employment to large no of unemployed, he added.

UNI