Himachal Congress poll with consensus: CM

Shimla, Feb 9 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh Monday said the election to the state Congress committee would be held with consensus among all party leaders.

"The polls to the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee would be held by taking into confidence all the party leaders," he told reporters here on the sidelines of a three-day state Congress convention that began Sunday.

The chief minister said all those who had been expelled from the party should be taken back to strengthen the party by rising above petty political considerations and taking into account the hard work they had put in while in the party.

The chief minister said he felt that there should not be too many organisational districts in the state and he was also not in favour of more panchayats except where geographically required or urgency demanded.

The formation of organisational districts did not mean that separate administrative districts would be created in the state, he added.

Virbhadra Singh stressed the need to hold such conventions at the grassroots level from time-to-time for better coordination among the workers and the party leadership.

Besides, he also underlined the need for such meetings right from the block level so that people could have their say in party matters.

"I hope that the opposition (BJP) will play a positive role in the budget session and will discuss the issues pertaining to development of the state and welfare of the common man," he added.

The chief minister said such conventions all over the country were proving to be inspirational and instilling confidence among party workers.

All India Congress Committee general secretary and state party in-charge Ambika Soni presided over the convention.