With the Congress winning the first battle and securing a simple majority in the hill state riding on the wave of anti-incumbency, the next battle for the chief minister’s post has begun and one of the main contenders is the five-time chief minister Virbhadra Singh.
Though Singh resigned from the Union government earlier this year following allegations of corruption against him, the 78-year-old leader said he is willing to serve another term. “I am an MP. If the party wants to draft me, I am prepared for that,” he said. However, he added: “It is for the Congress president (Sonia Gandhi) to decide who would lead the party. I have full faith in my party high command.”
Even as his desire for a sixth term is alive and kicking, a section within the Congress wants Virbhadra Singh to pass the baton to a younger leader. One of the contenders who is eyeing the top post is former state Congress chief Kaul Singh.
But party sources say Virbhadra Singh is likely to be nominated as the next chief minister as 28 out of the 36 elected legislators owe allegiance to him.