The decision came at a meeting of Himachal BJP election committee at Nurpur which also set up a two member committee to hold talks with Himachal Vikash Congress chief Sukhram on adjustment on Shimla (reserve) seat.

The meeting attended by BJP national general secretary Narendra Modi, chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and others, discussed strategy for the polls and adopted a resolution hailing Prime Minister A B Vajpayee for the Kargil victory. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Vajpayee reviewed the political situation in Haryana and Karnataka along with his party colleagues. During an hour-long meeting, the BJP leaders reviewed the latest position relating to ministry-making in Haryana and the resentment in the Karanataka unit of the party over the Janata Dal joining the NDA.