Despite exit poll predictions Verma believed that Sushma Swaraj ``may well be the next chief minister.''

Verma speaking to a private TV channel said that many BJP voters did not turn out to vote because of ``various reasons.'' Participating in phone-in programme, Sawaal Aapke on Star News Channel, he agreed with callers that infighting within the party was one of the reasons of BJP doing badly in the assembly elections.

Verma was removed as the Chief Minister a month before the voting. Verma also said that he was ready to join the Union Government, a offer made to him by the Prime Minister before elections. He said, ``the prime minister offered me to join him in the cabinet and I told him that I would do that only after the elections. Now its up to the prime minister. I am ready to accept that offernow.''