In Himachal Pradesh the Congress has wrested power from the BJP and has got an absolute majority. In Gujarat, the BJP has retained power for the fifth time in a row.

In Himachal Pradesh, out of 68 seats, the Congress has won 36 – BJP -26, Himachal Lokhit Party – one, and others five. The Congress has gained by 13 seats whereas the BJP lost 15 seats. In the outgoing assembly, the Congress had 23 seats and BJP 41.

The BJP has conceded defeat in Himachal Pradesh with senior party leader Shanta Kumar saying that the party accepts the poll verdict.

The Congress is now making preparations to form the new government. According to the Congress State President Virbhadra Singh, a meeting of the newly elected Congress leaders will be held in Shimla soon.

The Congress High Command has appointed Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde as Central Observer for the state. Although, there are some other leaders were in the race for Chief Minister post, most of the elected members are supporters of Virbhadra Singh..

In Gujarat the Bharatiya Janata Party has registered its fifth consecutive victory winning 115 seats in the Assembly elections. The Chief Minister Mr. Narendra Modi has performed a hat-trick in retaining power in the state.

Our correspondent reports that out of total 182 seats, Congress has bagged 61 seats.

Congress ally Nationalist Congress Party has won 2 seats and Gujarat Parivartan party has also bagged 2 seats. One seat each has gone in favour of an Independent candidate and JDU nominee. The new government will take oath on December 26th.

The BJP Parliamentary Board has decided to send senior leader Arun Jaitley as a central observer to attend the Legislature Party meeting in Gujarat to complete formalities for electing Narendra Modi as the Chief Minister.