Sonia unveils statue of six-time CM Virbhadra Singh in Shimla

Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi today unveiled the statue of Virbhadra Singh, the six-time chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, on The Ridge in Shimla amidst ‘Raja Virbhadra Singh amar rahen’ slogans by thousands of supporters and admirers of the departed leader.

Virbhadra Singh’s six-feet tall bronze statue stands next to the statue of Yashwant Singh Parmar, the first Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. Apart from Sonia Gandhi, AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi, AICC in-charge for Himachal Rajni Patil, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, HPCC president Pratibha Singh and prominent leaders like Sachin Pilot, Deepender Hooda, Rajeev Shukla and other party leaders attended the function.

Virbhadra Singh’s admirers came in large numbers from different parts of the state, carrying the posters of the departed leader.

While Sonia Gandhi did not address the gathering, Priyanka Gandhi praised Virbhadra Singh to the hilt as a person and a politician. Calling Virbhadra Singh a true representative of the party’s ideology and philosophy, she praised the departed leader for his truthfulness, simplicity and people-friendly nature. “He never made people feel that he was the Chief Minister or belonged to a royal family,” said Priyanka, adding that she was glad that current Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was adopting this approach forward.

Lamenting that few leaders were following the path shown by Virbhadra Singh in the state and by leaders like Nehru and Indira Gandhi at the national level, Priyanka Gandhi said the country needed leaders who could go beyond just public relations and social media and serve the people.

CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu recalled that he learnt a lot by working with Virbhadra Singh for nearly three decades. The late leader was an inspiration. “He laid network of roads and initiated several schemes for the development of the state. Besides, he opened several schools,” he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri called Virbhadra Singh the architect of modern Himachal Pradesh, recalling his efforts to promote education, women’s empowerment and public welfare.

PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh, son of Virbhadra Singh, said, “I am proud that I am his son. It’s my responsibility to take his legacy forward,” he said.

Pratibha Singh said the presence of Sonia Gandhi on the occasion had made the event even more special for the party.