Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Monday accepted the Congress party's defeat in the state assembly elections.
"I own responsibility for my party's defeat," he told reporters here.
He was categorical in accepting the mandate by saying: "It's the people's decision to make one victorious. This is their right."
Six-time Chief Minister, Mr Singh, who won his Arki seat with a margin of 6,051 votes, blamed the party's central leadership for lack of campaigning.
"Whatever are the shortcomings, I did my best during campaigning alone in the state and that too, within my resources," he added.
He refused to put the blame on Congress President Rahul Gandhi. "The elections were conducted under my leadership and I accept our defeat."
His son, Vikramaditya Singh, tasted his maiden victory in the assembly from Shimla (Rural).
Congress cabinet Ministers Sudhir Sharma, Thakur Singh and Prakash Chaudhary faced defeat from the Bharatiya Janata Party.
The BJP was set to wrest power in Himachal Pradesh with its candidates on a victory lap in 36 of the 68 seats in the Assembly elections. The party won 21 seats as counting of ballots progressed.
However, BJP's state chief Satpal Singh Satti faced a humiliating defeat, while its Chief Ministerial candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal was trailing with a huge margin.
The ruling Congress managed to win only 10 seats.
"I own responsibility for my party's defeat," he told reporters here.
He was categorical in accepting the mandate by saying: "It's the people's decision to make one victorious. This is their right."
"Whatever are the shortcomings, I did my best during campaigning alone in the state and that too, within my resources," he added.
Advertisement
His son, Vikramaditya Singh, tasted his maiden victory in the assembly from Shimla (Rural).
Advertisement
The BJP was set to wrest power in Himachal Pradesh with its candidates on a victory lap in 36 of the 68 seats in the Assembly elections. The party won 21 seats as counting of ballots progressed.
Advertisement
The ruling Congress managed to win only 10 seats.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
"Freedom Is Our Shield": Rahul Gandhi's Independence Day Message To Nation "Natural Disasters Increasing Concerns": PM Modi On Independence Day "Attempt To Save Accused Instead Of...": Rahul Gandhi On Doctor Rape-Murder 2 French Rafale Jets Collide Mid-Air, Instructor, Pilot Missing 9 Arrested For Violence At Kolkata Hospital Where Doctor Was Raped-Murdered Mob Vandalised Kolkata Doctor Rape Murder Case Crime Scene? Cops Respond UGC NET 2024 City Intimation Slips Out For August 28-September 4 Exams Sri Lanka Has 39 Presidential Candidates This Time, But No Woman Among Them Trump Reveals Why He Sounded Like He Had A Lisp During Musk Interview Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.