‘Despite pro-Cong undercurrent,our performance in HP was satisfactory’

“The Congress should sit down and do some introspection about its dismal performance in the state,” he added.

He refuted the Congress’ charge of misuse of government machinery in the elections,saying,“Congress had started making such charges even before the elections as it knew its prospects were not good.” He parried questions on a possible Cabinet reshuffle amid talk of “rewards” to those MLAs who had shown better results in their respective Assembly constituencies.

On Mandi,from where former CM Virbhadra Singh has been elected to the Parliament,Dhumal said,“We did not gain as much as expected in Kullu district. Our gains are clear in Rampur though,despite it being the home town of Virbhadra Singh.”

Give Himachal representation in Cabinet: Dhumal

Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal made a strong demand for giving Himachal Pradesh representation in the Central Cabinet. “We urge Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to induct a Cabinet rank minister in the government from Himachal,” he said,but refused to name anyone when asked about his preferred choice.