Cong likely to finalize Himachal poll candidates on Saturday

A meeting of the party's Central Election Committee headed by Sonia Gandhi is being held on October 6 to decide on the nominations for the 68-member assembly in the state.

A meeting of the State Election Committee headed by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit was held here yesterday and a meeting of the Central Scrutiny Committee was held today, where prominent leaders from the state, including PCC President Virbhadra Singh, and the party's incharge of Himachal Affairs Birender Singh were present.

Various leaders from the state have reportedly evolved a consensus on candidates for 45 assembly seats, including 19 sitting MLAs, sources said. More names are likely to be cleared soon after discussions among state leaders.

Congress has already announced it would not declare its Chief ministerial candidate for the elections.

Former Union Minister Virbhadra Singh, a five-time CM of the state, will be leading the Congress campaign as the PCC president.

Congress is seeking to oust the BJP government headed by Prem Kumar Dhumal.