Virbhadra Singh to be chief minister for sixth time

Shimla : Congress veteran leader Virbhadra Singh will be the next chief minister of Himachal Pradesh . This decision was taken by the Congress high command late Saturday .

Senior party leader Janardhan Dwivedi who flew into Shimla made this announcement. Earlier in the evening the Congress legislature party meeting was held here by all the newly elected party  MLAs.

Nearly all the MLAs backed Virbhadra’s name . But a resolution was passed authorising Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi to take the final decision .

Sonia Gandhi reportedly gave her nod immediately on phone paving the way for Virbhadra Singh, 78, to take over the top job for the sixth time .

The Congress won 36 seats in a house of 68 . Two independent MLAs have decided to join the Congress . The outgoing BJP won 26 seats .