Himachal Pradesh assembly elections: Post-polls, it's business as usual

SHIMLA: Voting over, the star campaigners of BJP and Congress - Prem Kumar Dhumal and Virbhadra Singh - should have ideally spent a comparatively relaxed Monday. They had an extremely hectic schedule over the last few weeks, as the two leaders went around addressing election rallies across the state.

Both Dhumal and Virbhadra face the challenge of bringing their respective parties to power and, when other leaders preferred to relax, the two arch rivals went around their business as usual.

For the incumbent chief minister, the day started as usual - with a huge rush of people were waiting for him outside his ancestral house in Samirpur village of Hamirpur district. After meeting them, Dhumal headed for Una district to get a feedback from party workers and leaders, and then to Chandigarh where he had some prior engagements.

"Feedback was good. In Una, we are winning all five seats. BJP will form the government with a thumping majority. People's verdict is in our favour," he told TOI.

The day was not any different for Virbhadra. The HPCC leader, too, had people waiting for him at his residence Holly Lodge in Shimla. Around 11am, he went to his party office and remained till 2.30pm. Post-lunch, he continued meeting the people and party leaders.

"Congress is returning to power. On the basis of my political experience, I am stating that Congress is winning the election with pure majority," he claimed.