SHIMLA, October 14: Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi today unveiled the statue of Virbhadra Singh, six-time Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, on The Ridge in Shimla, amid slogans of “Raja Virbhadra Singh amar rahen” by thousands of supporters.
The six-feet tall bronze statue now stands alongside that of Yashwant Singh Parmar, the first Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. The unveiling ceremony saw a strong presence of Congress leaders, including AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi, AICC Himachal in-charge Rajni Patil, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, HPCC president Pratibha Singh, and senior leaders such as Sachin Pilot, Deepender Hooda, and Rajeev Shukla.
Supporters of Virbhadra Singh had gathered from across the state, carrying posters and paying tribute to the late leader. While Sonia Gandhi did not address the crowd, Priyanka Gandhi praised Virbhadra Singh’s political and personal qualities. She described him as a true representative of Congress ideology, highlighting his truthfulness, simplicity, and people-friendly nature. “He never made people feel that he was the Chief Minister or belonged to a royal family,” Priyanka Gandhi said, adding that she appreciated CM Sukhu following this approach today.
Priyanka Gandhi lamented that few leaders now follow the path of service exemplified by Virbhadra Singh, and earlier by leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, urging for leadership beyond mere public relations and social media.
CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu recalled working with Virbhadra Singh for nearly three decades, calling him an inspiration. “He laid networks of roads, initiated development schemes, and opened several schools,” he said.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri called Virbhadra Singh the architect of modern Himachal Pradesh, emphasizing his contributions to education, women’s empowerment, and public welfare.
PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh, Virbhadra Singh’s son, said, “I am proud that I am his son. It’s my responsibility to take his legacy forward.”
HPCC president Pratibha Singh noted that Sonia Gandhi’s presence made the occasion even more special for the party.
The ceremony mentioned the enduring legacy of Virbhadra Singh in Himachal Pradesh politics and his continued influence on the state’s development and governance.
