At 82, Virbhadra ready for next political innings

Tribune News Service

Shimla, June 23

Not willing to call it quits or go slow even as he turned 82 today, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said he could never leave the Congress at least in this lifetime and would be willing to lead the party in the next Assembly poll if the high command wished so.

With more than half a century political innings behind him, Virbhadra said it was a million dollar question whether he would lead his party in the 2017 Assembly poll or not. “However, one thing is certain that I will continue to work for the state and its people,” he said.

With celebrations marking his 82nd birthday today, the six-time Chief Minister said he could never repay the debt of love and gratitude showered on him by the people of Himachal. “It is easy to repay debt of gold, but not of love and kindness that I have been fortunate enough to receive from the people in abundance,” said an emotional Virbhadra.

Even as he reiterated that there was no question of his deserting the party ever, he said leaders and workers in his own party must not take him for granted. “Whether I contest or make others contest, one thing is clear that I will abide by the dictate of my party,” he said. However drawing a parallel with Dronacharya, he said even though he had taken “sanyas”, he did pick up weapons in the name of “Dharam Yudh.”

“Why should I go in for early elections as I am having a good time, but one thing I can clearly predict is that if the Assembly elections are held in the near future, the BJP will lose badly,” he predicted. He added that there was no need to read too much into the extensive touring that he was undertaking as this was normal for him at anytime.

“Any political party should have the right mix of youth and experience as each one has its specified role to play,” he said. Commenting on the state of affairs in the BJP, he said the NDA regime led by Modi had failed to fulfill the promises it made to the people at the time of the Lok Sabha elections. “However, the BJP came to power by reacting to some of the policy decisions of the UPA regime which appealed to the masses which now our party can do during the next parliamentary elections,” he said.

The Chief Minister said he had dedicated his entire life to the service of the state and its people, adding that he considered himself blessed to get so much of affection from them. “There is no standard in politics and a decade down the line I feel it will be free for all,” he opined.

The Chief Minister said he had seen the state grow from the days of Nehru to date. “Himachal has come a long way and today I can say with pride that it is the most developed state vis a vis even the bigger and more prosperous states,” he said. He said there had been remarkable transformation in every field but there can be no end to development.

Family, friends wish him 

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh was greeted by his family, friends, ministers, MLAs and senior government functionaries, who made a beeline for Holly Lodge, his private residence in Jakhoo. He also hosted a lunch for all at Oak Over, his official residence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a tweet also wished a long and healthy life to the Chief Minister. He also attended a community lunch at Indira Gandhi Medical Hospital and attended a blood donation camp later. 

Jammu artist presents painting to Virbhadra

Eminent artist from Jammu KK Gandhi, who was here in Shimla, painted live painting of the Holly Lodge, the private residence of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, and presented it to him on his 82nd birthday on Thursday.

Having passion for mountains and natural surroundings, the paintings of Gandhi reflects the vibrant colours of natural grandeur and merge boundaries of the past and present on canvas. Gandhi has also exhibited his solo exhibition at the Gaiety Theatre, Shimla, in 2011. 

CM lays stone of Secretariat building

The CM on Thursday laid the foundation stone of the Secretariat Armsdale Building, Phase-III, near the state secretariat, to be constructed at a cost of Rs 29 crore. Besides four storey parking facilities for 120 small vehicles, the building will house four floors and an attic, which will have a big conference hall, waiting rooms, pantry and a dining hall. The building will also house two banks — State Bank of Patiala and Punjab National Bank. The Chief Minister said this would be a modern building with all facilities for officials and visitors.