HP IPH minister optimist of Congress victory

Shimla, Oct 11 (UNI) Welcoming the Election Commission's (EC) decision of holding assembly elections in two phases on November 14 and December 19, state Irrigation and Public Health Minister Kaul Singh Thakur said the party was optimist of party's victory in the coming elections.

''The party is confident of returning to power after the assembly elections with an increased margin,'' he told UNI here.

Mr Thakur said the EC's decision to hold early elections was welcome and would ensure holding of elections to all the 68 assembly seats simultaneously.

The Congress was prepared for these elections and state Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and HP Congress Committee (HPCC) president Viplove Thakur had visited several districts and areas of the state during the last few months as part of its strategy for preparing the party for the elections, he added.

UNI