Himachal Pradesh Governor V S Kokje dissolved the Assembly late on Friday evening and asked Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh to continue to hold office till the formation of the next Government.

BJP’s chief ministerial candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal is expected to meet the Governor on Saturday after a meeting of newly elected MLAs of his party and stake his claim to form the Government.

Earlier, accepting his party’s defeat, Virbhadra Singh tendered his resignation, convened a cabinet meeting later in the day and recommended dissolution of the House. “I, on my own behalf and on behalf of the party, congratulate Prem Kumar Dhumal, BJP’s Chief Ministerial candidate for the party’s victory and wish him a successful five-year term. I have already initiated steps to facilitate the formation of the new Government. The Congress will extend him support and cooperation to implement development and other public welfare programmes,” said Virbhadra Singh after the party’s defeat.

While the poll results were pouring in, Virbhadra Singh summoned Chief Secretary Ravi Dhingra and Principal Secretary T G Negi and informed them about a cabinet meeting convened at 3 pm. “The cabinet completed its formality of recommending dissolution of the House. The recommendation has already been placed before the Governor and process for transfer of power has been set in motion,” Dhingra confirmed.

Earlier in the day, Virbhadra Singh spoke with disappointment over party’s defeat, while maintaining a stoic approach. “Anti-incumbency was one of the factors contributing to the party’s defeat. We will analyse all the factors. This will be followed by corrective steps so that the Congress returns to power in the next election,” he said, adding, “The party is disappointed, but not disheartened as it has won 23 seats, against 41 of the BJP.”

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