Shimla
Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi arrived in Himachal Pradesh’s capital on Sunday to participate in the unveiling of a statue of party stalwart Virbhadra Singh, who served as chief minister of the state six times.
The statue will be placed at Daulat Singh Park on the historic Ridge, among those of other prominent leaders, including Dr YS Parmar, Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu, along with Cabinet colleagues, welcomed Sonia Gandhi upon her arrival. The ceremony was initially scheduled for Singh’s birth anniversary on June 23 but was postponed due to prior commitments of the party leadership. Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, son of the late leader and Chairman of the Raja Virbhadra Singh Foundation, extended the invitation.
Virbhadra Singh, popularly known as ‘Raja Saab,’ passed away on July 8, 2021, at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital in Shimla, at the age of 87, following post-Covid complications. A nine-time legislator and five-time MP, Singh had entered the Lok Sabha in 1962 and remained active in politics for over 50 years. Known for his grassroots connection, wit, and benevolence, he was admired for personally engaging with voters and leading political battles with determination even in his later years.
Singh’s legacy endures in Himachal politics, with his son Vikramaditya Singh also continuing the family’s active political presence. The statue unveiling marks a tribute to his towering contributions to the state, reflecting the respect and admiration he commanded across political lines.