Ambushed CM conceding defeat, says BJP

Mandi, Oct 17 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh unit of the BJP today claimed state Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh had conceded defeat even before the polls by saying that he had been ''ambushed by the Election Commission (EC)''.

Addressing a press conference here, BJP state president Jai Ram Thakur said by issuing a statement that he had been ''ambushed by the EC'', the state CM had exposed the nervousness of Congress regarding the polls.

''It seems that the writing is clear on the walls for the Congress,'' Mr Thakur said.

He described the EC's decision of announcing elections six months before the expiry of the assembly's term as ''justifibale, final and constitutionally correct''.

The BJP was geared up for the polls and would easily come to power after the elections, he said.

Replying to a question whether he would contest elections, he said it was for the party to decide and he was ready to contest, if asked to.

UNI