- Friday, April 26, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
VIRBHADRA Singh, six-time chief minister of the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, passed away in state capital Shimla early on Thursday (8). He was 87. The Congress leader breathed his last at the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in the city after a prolonged illness. The Himachal Pradesh government announced a three-day state mourning as a mark of respect to one of the tallest political leaders of the state.
Singh was put on ventilator support on Wednesday (7) after complaining of breathing problems, senior medical superintendent Dr Janak Raj said. He also said that the veteran politician suffered a heart attack on Monday (5).
The former chief minister, who was fondly called ‘Raja Sahib’, had tested positive for Covid-19 last month for the second time in two months. He returned home from a hospital in Chandigarh where he recovered after contracting Covid for the first time in April. However, he was admitted to IGMC within hours after reaching home as he complained of cardiac and breathing problems. He was in the hospital since then.
Singh, who first became a member of the Indian Parliament (Lok Sabha) in 1962, was a nine-time member of the legislative assembly and five-time member of the Parliament. He is survived by his wife Pratibha Singh, also a former member of parliament, son Vikramaditya Singh, a member of Himachal Pradesh legislative assembly, and daughters. Singh was earlier married to Rajkumari Rattan Kumari and married Pratibha Singh after her death in the 1980s.
Six-time chief minister besides serving in central governments
Singh, who born in the royal family of Bushahr in Shimla district, served as the chief minister of the hilly state six times between 1983-90, 1993-98, 2003-07 and 2012-17. Though those are four terms in all, he had reappointments within those years which took the actual count of him becoming the chief minister as many as six times. He was also the leader of opposition between 1998 and 2003. He was also a central minister in the governments of Indira Gandhi in the 1970s and 1980s and Manmohan Singh in the late 2000s and early 2011s.
Political leaders condole Singh’s death
Indian president Ram Nath Kovind, prime minister Narendra Modi, Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jai Ram Thakur, Singh’s immediate successor, and Bharatiya Janata Party president JP Nadda condoled Singh’s death. Himachal Pradesh governor Bandaru Dattatraya also expressed condolences over the veteran leader’s passing away.
“Sad to know that Shri Virbhadra Singh is no more. His political career spanning six decades in his roles as chief minister and parliamentarian was marked by his commitment to serve people of Himachal Pradesh. Condolences to family & followers,” president Kovind said on Twitter.
In a tweet, Modi said, “Shri Virbhadra Singh Ji had a long political career, with rich administrative and legislative experience. He played a pivotal role in Himachal Pradesh and served the people of the state. Saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti.”
Congress president Sonia Gandhi said, “Shri Virbhadra Singh was one of the tallest, most experienced & most knowledgeable leaders in our country, having served as CM six times, as an MP & a Minister in Central govt who had served under every Congress PM right from Pt. Nehru’s time.”
Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet: “Shri Virbhadra Singh ji was a stalwart in the true sense. His commitment to serving the people and to the Congress party remained exemplary till the very end. My condolences to his family and friends. We will miss him.”
Himachal Congress president Kuldeep Singh Rathore and Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh also expressed their shock.
