BJP today welcomed the announcement of poll dates for Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh and expressed confidence of retaining power in both the states on the basis of the development work carried out by respective governments.

"In both the states, BJP is in power...Recently a review meeting of good governance in BJP ruled states was held under the chairmanship of party president Nitin Gadkari and based on the feedback from Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh we are very confident of coming back to power," party spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said.

He maintained that even in the discussions at the just-concluded BJP conclave at Surajkund on the work done in these two states as well as meetings of various cells of the party, the net outcome has been good.

"Both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh are free of corruption as far as the image of the chief ministers is concerned. On the other hand there are allegations of corruption and failure to check price rise against the Congress. We are confident of a big victory," Rudy said.

Among the achievements, the BJP claimed its governments have given economic development, good governance, high employment, growth in agriculture and high industrial output.

"All this is a positive recipe for a BJP victory. We are sure of our victory," Rudy said.

Polling will be held on November 4 in Himachal Pradesh and on December 13 and 17 in Gujarat. Results will be declared in both the states on December 20.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the announcement of state assembly poll dates by the Election Commission.

"Elections are the biggest festival of democracy. We will take part with true festive spirit. I welcome the announcement of the poll dates," Modi wrote on twitter, welcoming the declaration.

Modi has been running a very aggressive campaign in the run-up to the election.

Currently, he is on Swami Vivekanand Yuva Vikas Yatra, under which, the entire state will be covered by October 10.

Congress spokesperson P C Chacko said the party was "quite confident" about the outcome in the two states.

He said the elections would provide it with an opportunity to reach out to the people on the issue of FDI in retail and convince them that it was a win-win situation for all concerned.

Chacko also dismissed suggestions that the electoral battle in Gujarat was a Narendra Modi vs Sonia Gandhi issue. He said such attempts by Modi are "going to boomerang".

Congress is expected to put up keen fight against BJP in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. Congress has been out of power in Gujarat for the past 15 years.