Anil Sharma's exit won't affect Congress, says Virbhadra Singh

Virbhadra Singh on Sunday said the resignation of state Cabinet minister Anil Sharma would have no impact on the poll prospects of the Congress.

"I had prior information about his quitting the party to join the BJP. But it would not impact the poll prospects of the Congress. If some other ministers also want to quit, they are free to do so," Chief Minister Singh said.

In what is being seen as a blow to the Congress ahead of the Assembly polls, Himachal Pradesh Rural Development minister Anil Sharma on Sunday quit the Virbhadra Singh government and joined the BJP.

Sharma said he had been given a BJP ticket from Mandi.

Meanwhile, Transport minister G S Bali dismissed media speculation that he too could leave the Congress and categorically denied any plans of joining the BJP.

I am not leaving the party," Bali, who is camping in Delhi, said as he chided some TV channels for giving "wrong news" without confirmation.

The Congress election committee is meeting in Delhi to finalise the candidates. The chief minister also left for Delhi.

The BJP did not announce its list today as about five to six names are yet to be finalised and all 68 candidates would be announced in one go, senior party leaders said.

PTI