Himachal Congress to elect chief minister today

Shimla/New Delhi: The Congress Legislative Party (CLP) will meet Saturday to elect Himachal Pradesh's next chief minister in the presence of three central observers, party sources said on Friday. "The CLP will meet on Saturday," party general secretary Janardan Dwivedi said in Delhi.

The meeting would be held at party headquarters in Shimla in the evening which all 36 newly-elected legislators would attend, Congress general secretary Sudhir Sharma said.

Besides Dwivedi, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and AICC general secretary in charge of Himachal Pradesh Birender Singh, will attend the meeting.

Sources in the party said more than 20 legislators have reposed faith in the leadership of Virbhadra Singh.

Though five-time chief minister Virbhadra Singh was the face of the Congress in Himachal Pradesh, the party did not project him as its chief ministerial candidate.

Speculations in political circles are rife over the next chief minister after the Congress scored a clear victory in the hill state, snatching power from the BJP.

"Some senior legislators have reached Delhi and are against Virbhadra Singh's elevation as the next chief minister," a party leader said.

"I don't know who is lobbying for whom. At least I am not lobbying," Virbhadra Singh told IANS.

"I always came (as chief minister) through elections. This time too the leader will be elected by the elected members," he said.

Sources in the party said more than 20 legislators have reposed faith in the leadership of Virbhadra Singh.

Earlier, Congress spokesperson Renuka Chowdhury said: "Every MLA is entitled to become the chief minister. Virbhadra led the party to victory. The CLP in consultation with the party high command will decide on the chief minister."

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