NCP to contest Himachal assembly polls

Shimla : The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is hoping to emerge as a major force in the state and plans taking part  in the assembly polls later this year , party leaders here Thursday .

“NCP will contest 25 to 40 seats ,” said Anirudh Sharma , president of the state unit of the party .

There are 68 seats in the entire state .

“We are in touch with senior BJP and Congress leaders and  many are likely to soon join us ,” he claimed .

Former minister and speaker Radha Raman Shastri is likely to contest the Shimla seat .

“The party will fight elections alone but we don’t rule out tie-ups in future with other like-minded forces ,” he said .