Himachal Pradesh Polls 2012

For five-time chief minister Virbhadra Singh, probably contesting his last assembly election, this one would be the most gratifying. The septuagenarian spoke of the Congress win at his Holy Lodge home in Shimla, Gaurav Bisht reports. Knowing Virbhadra Singh

It can be safely assumed that while Narendra Modi’s leadership helped the BJP score an impressive win in Gujarat, Virbhadra Singh was the one who led the Congress to victory in Himachal, Pankaj Vohra reports.

Contrary to all the calculations by poll pundits before the elections results were declared, the Himachal Lokhit Party (HLP), the breakaway faction of the outgoing BJP, failed to make a mark in Himachal politics, Naresh K Thakur reports.

A rebellious Kangra, a hard-headed Shimla and tribal Lahul-Spiti swung the battle for the Congress in Himachal Pradesh. In the fourth position was the second-largest district Mandi, which also gave the party two extra seats, Gaurav Bisht and Naresh K Thakur report.

ThFor the Congress, the triumph in Himachal Pradesh could not have come at a more opportune time. More or less written off in Gujarat despite claims by its leaders of a ‘turn in the tide’, its win in the small hill will keep the score at one-all for both parties.e party, more or less written off in Gujarat, desperately needed to win the hill state, Navneet Sharma reports.

Virbhadra Singh, 78, a five-time chief minister who took over the party’s reins just before the elections and ran a spirited campaign won from Shimla (rural) while outgoing chief minister PK Dhumal won from Hamirpur. HT reports. Outcomes please both national parties | Good tidings for Congress

As trends showed reverses for BJP in Himachal Pradesh, chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal today appeared prepared even for a defeat.

As initial trends indicated a Congress victory in Himachal Pradesh, party veteran Virbhadra Singh today said that he had put in his "best efforts" in the polls and it was for Sonia Gandhi to decide the party's chief minister.

BJP today conceded defeat in Himachal Pradesh with senior leader Shanta Kumar saying that the party accepted the poll verdict. The Congress, which put up a spirited campaign under former chief minister Virbhadra Singh, is all set to return to power in Himachal Pradesh.

Congress will get a "more decisive" victory in Himachal Pradesh than that shown in the exit polls, state PCC chief Virbhadra Singh claimed on Tuesday.