But what will happen if the Congress is voted out of power? “If voted out -- to me that appears most unlikely -- I will certainly stick to democratic norms of the party.”

Mahajan had approached the High Court last week seeking a stay on counting of votes till completion of term of the present House. However, his petition was not entertained because of some lacunae and he was instructed to correct his plea before approaching the court again.

The party insiders claim that after Narendra Modi’s spectacular victory in Gujarat, the Congress High Command sent a word to Virbhadra Singh to pave the way for formation of a BJP government. The party is learnt to have already resigned to the fact that it’s return to power in Himachal looks unlikely.

The party in charge for Himachal R K Dhawan has hinted to the party about the BJP making considerable gains in the Congress stronghold, including Mandi, Una, Solan and Shimla. The Congress is not likely to get all tribal seats, where the elections were held before rest of the state.

The BJP camp is already in an upbeat mood. Party’s chief ministerial candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal has reached Delhi to hold discussions with the central leaders on possible formation of the next Government.