Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, June 23
The Himachal Pradesh Congress on Monday paid homage to former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on his 91st birth anniversary at the party headquarters, Rajiv Bhavan, in Shimla. Party leaders and workers gathered to honour the six-time chief minister’s contribution to the hill state’s development. Senior leaders including Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar, PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh, former Health Minister Kaul Singh Thakur, Shimla (Urban) MLA Harish Janartha, and Mayor Surender Chauhan participated in the ceremony. Floral tributes were offered, and a two-minute silence was observed in Singh’s memory.
Addressing the gathering, Vikramaditya Singh—Virbhadra Singh’s son—called the day a reminder of the former leader’s inclusive development vision for Himachal Pradesh. “He never allowed regional or caste divisions to hinder progress. We must continue on the path he laid down for a united and developed Himachal,” he said.
Plans to unveil a statue of Virbhadra Singh at the historic Ridge in Shimla were deferred to 15 July following consultations with senior party leaders. The event is expected to be attended by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the state Chief Minister, ministers, and opposition leaders.
The statue has already been installed and awaits formal unveiling.
