BJP pins hope on Congress' lucky venue

A state-run hotel in one of the Raj era buildings in Shimla will be the venue of the BJP’s chintan baithak. Interestingly, the hotel had hosted the Congress’ brainstorming session in 2003, a year before the party returned to power at the Centre. Some BJP participants are wondering if the venue will change the fortunes of their party too. However, skeptics are referring to the Congress’ decision at Shimla not to ally with other parties — a decision it had to reverse after the election results.