Shimla, Dec 28 (UNI) Congress Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today conceded his ''surprise defeat'' to the BJP in Himachal while BJP's elated Chief Ministerial candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal said his government would order inquiries into all cases of corruption during the previous regime.

Conceding defeat, Mr Virbhadra Singh said the party was ''surprised'' by the results and it would analyse them in due course.

He said the party would play a ''positive role'' of the opposition inside and outside the assembly adding that ''victory and defeat are part of the game''.

A visibly happy Mr Dhumal, on the other hand, expressed satisfaction over the results and said his government would order inquiries into all cases of corruption during the Congress government and punish the guilty.

''None of the guilty, whosoever, will be spared and innocent will not be touched,'' Mr Dhumal asserted.

Terming the BJP victory in the elections a ''mandate for change and peoples' victory'', he said his government would initiate steps for the balanced and uniform development of the state.

The BJP leaders began celebrations soon after the trends showed that it was poised to win the Himachal Assembly elections.

UNI