By IANS
Shimla : Hours after the Congress lost the Himachal Pradesh elections Friday, outgoing Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh recommended that the state assembly be dissolved.
A top official in the government said that the decision was taken by the cabinet.
“The request to dissolve the house has been forwarded to the Governor V.S. Kokje. This will pave the way for constituting the new assembly,” said the official.
The assembly elections were held some three months in advance without dissolving the house, which was to end its term on March 9, 2008, triggering a constitutional crisis.
This had led to sharp exchanges between Singh and Election Commission, with the chief minister even threatening last week that irrespective of the election results the current house would go on to complete its term.
But outcome of the poll, which the Bharatiya Janata Party has swept bagging 41 in the 68-member house, has apparently jolted Singh and made him recommend the dissolution of the house for a smooth transfer of power.
The Congress managed just 23 seats.`