New Delhi: Himachal Pradesh Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Virbhadra Singh appears to be emerging as the frontrunner for the post of Chief Minister.

Party sources said Singh, a former Chief Minister, was "very strong" in the reckoning for the top post for which Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Vidya Stokes is also a contender.

Ambika Soni, political secretary to Congress president, told reporters that senior party leaders Mohsina Kidwai, Motilal Vora and R K Dhawan have been sent to Shimla as central observers who would hold consultations with newly-elected Legislators.

Replying to questions, she dismissed the possibility of any problem in electing the new CLP leader. She said the new leader would be chosen in consultation with Congress president after ascertaining the views of MLAs.

"Congress has never had ay problem in deciding the issue of leadership, may it be Assam or Punjab," Soni said.

The impressive victory of Congress, which secured 40 of the 68 seats in the Assembly, was led by leader of the Opposition Virbhadra Singh and PCC chief Vidya Stokes, who won from Rohroo and Kumarsain respectively.

A party leader said that Congress could have won two-third majority but for "massive internal subversion" in the polls which witnessed a number of rebel candidates owing allegiance to both Singh and Stokes.

PTI