Congress Likely To Name Himachal CM

40 Congress MLAs passed the party's traditional resolution…

Shimla: Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who party leaders credited for the HP Assembly polls win, will take the final call on who will be the CM of the state, sources have said.

This comes after a day of high drama in the hill state, with rival factions jostling for the top post.

On Friday evening, the 40 Congress MLAs in the state passed the party's traditional one-line resolution, authorising the "high command" to take a decision. The decision is expected by Sunday.

Priyanka Gandhi led the party's campaign in Himachal Pradesh, along with new national president Mallikarjun Kharge, with several rallies, and was also closely involved in strategy planning for the polls. Many leaders hailed her leadership in securing the win for the party and defeating the BJP's election machinery.

This is Priyanka Gandhi's first electoral success while heading the campaign charge. The party had lost Uttar Pradesh assembly polls while she spearheaded the canvassing there earlier this year.

During her rallies in Sirmour, Kangra, Solan and Una, Priyanka Gandhi raised the issues of Agnipath, inflation, unemployment and the old pension scheme.

The MLAs' meeting late last evening was held with central overseers Rajeev Shukla, Bhupinder Hooda, and Bhupesh Baghel present to coordinate. They spoke to each MLA to gauge who has more support.

The "high command" resolution, however, came after a show of strength by supporters of state Congress chief Pratibha Singh ahead of the meeting in Shimla, her family's area of dominance.