New Delhi, March 1
Congress President Sonia Gandhi today said that the party’s victory in Himachal Pradesh elections was a tremendous morale-booster and an answer to the Hindutva campaign of the BJP.

Mrs Gandhi, who was greeted by workers of the Congress and leaders at her residence today, said she was extremely happy at the results and the party would now work hard for the November elections in four states.

“The Hindutva wave is not working as they (BJP) had hoped. The results have shown that there was no such wave. It is a matter of great satisfaction,” Mrs Gandhi said.

Comparing the results of Himachal Pradesh elections with those of Gujarat, Mrs Gandhi said in the western state, the elections had taken place in the background of certain tragedies. “That created a problem,” she said.

She denied that the party had practised “soft-Hindutva” in Gujarat. “This is an accusation thrown up by the BJP,” the Congress President said.

Asked about the party’s strategy for the November elections, she said it would be the same as in Himachal Pradesh. “Our basic policy is secularism and development with concern for weaker sections,” Mrs Gandhi said.

The Congress President said the party would be working hard for the November elections in four states all of which have Congress governments. “I am confident that if the party and the government work together, we will certainly give a good account.” Thanking the people of Himachal Pradesh for reposing faith in the Congress, she said promises made by the party to the electorate in the state would be fulfilled.

About the Congress losing the Gauriganj byelection in Amethi, which falls in her parliamentary constituency, Mrs Gandhi said she did not have much hope as the party had won the seat narrowly last time. “There is no use pretending about our situation in UP. We have to work hard,” Mrs Gandhi said.

Mrs Gandhi admitted that she was hoping for better results in Tripura and Nagaland. Referring to the Left victory in Tripura, she said the ruling party in the state was well-organised. “We know what their activities are,” she said. The party emerged as the single-largest party in Meghalaya, Mrs Gandhi said.

Meanwhile, party spokesman Anand Sharma said here that the meeting of newly elected MLAs of Himachal Pradesh is likely to be held at Shimla on March 4. Senior Congress leaders, who had gone to Himachal Pradesh yesterday, will be returning to the Capital tomorrow morning. AICC sources said the three leaders, Mrs Mohsina Kidwai, Mr Motilal Vora and Mr R.K. Dhawan, were in touch with Mrs Gandhi on the issue of leadership.

Responding to questions, AICC general secretary Ambika Soni said the issue of leadership in the state was “open” but would be decided amicably.

Asked that both Mr Virbhadra Singh and Mrs Vidya Stokes had indicated their willingnees to lead the government, Mrs Soni said they had also promsied to abide by the decision finally arrived at.

Maintaining that the verdict in Himachal Pradesh was a vote against “the corrupt BJP government,” Mrs Soni said the party had all along maintained that Gujarat results were an aberration. “There was a need for a clear political reply to the BJP,” Mrs Soni said. She said Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had raised an issue in Himachal Pradesh which had played a role in elections. “Having been raised with adequate proof, it became a credible charge,” she said.

Congress Vichar Vibhag chief Ashwani Kumar said by returning the Congress to power with a thumping majority, the electorate of Himachal Pradesh had demonstrated their political maturity. He said the people had decisively voted against “political corruption.”

Mr Kumar, who campaigned for the party in the state, said the vote in favour of the Congress was a verdict in favour of secular politics, development, clean and transparent governance and a vindication of the people’s faith in the leadership of Mrs Gandhi.