Virbhadra Singh, Congress veteran and former Himachal Pradesh CM, dies aged 87

SHIMLA: Congress veteran and former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh passed away at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital Shimla in the wee hours of Thursday. He was 87.
“Singh died at around 4am. After cardiopulmonary arrest, he was declared dead,” Dr Janak Raj Pakhretia of the hospital said.
The former chief minister was admitted to the hospital on April 30 after recovering from Covid-19.For the last two days, he was on ventilator support after his health deteriorated.
Pakhretia said that after embalming the body would be handed over to family members.
He said that Virbhadra Singh was tested positive for Covid-19 twice and had recovered but later he was diagnosed with severe pneumonia.
The doctor said the former chief minister could not recover from other old age-related ailments.
“After his health deteriorated he was shifted on a ventilator but could not recover. We feel sorry that despite our best efforts we could not save his life,” the doctor added.
Son of late Raja Sir Padam Singh of Bushahr State, Virbhadra Singh was born on June 23, 1934 at Sarahan in Shimla district.
He remained president (elected) of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee in 1977, 1979, 1980 and from August 26, 2012 to December 2012.
He was elected to third Lok Sabha in 1962, re-elected to 4th Lok Sabha in 1967 from Mahasu Constituency, 5th Lok Sabha in 1971, 7th Lok Sabha in 1980, and 15th Lok Sabha (5th term) in May 2009 from Mandi Lok- Sabha constituency.
He was elected to the state legislative assembly in October 1983 (by-election), re-elected in 1985 from the Jubbal-Kotkhai assembly constituency. In 1990, 1993, 1998, 2003 & 2007 from Rohru assembly constituency and in 2012 from Shimla Rural assembly constituency.
He remained Himachal Pradesh CM from April 8, 1983, to March 5, 1990; December 3, 1993, to March 23, 1998, and from March 6, 2003, to December 29, 2007; leader of the opposition, March 1998 to March 2003; and chief minister of the state for the sixth time from December 25, 2012 to December 26, 2017.
He was re-elected to the thirteenth Vidhan Sabha (9th term) in December 2017 from Arki assembly constituency.
President Kovind, PM Modi condole demise of Virbhadra Singh
"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 the people of Himachal Pradesh. Condolences to family and followers," tweeted Rashtrapati Bhavan.

PM 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 leader Rahul Gandhi has also expressed his grief.
"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," he tweeted.

The Himachal Pradesh government on Thursday declared a three-day state mourning as a mark of respect to Singh.
Himachal Pradesh governor Bandaru Dattatraya, chief minister Jairam Thakur and a host of other leaders condoled the demise of Singh.

Terming Singh's death as an irreparable loss for Himachal, Thakur said the void created due to his death would never be filled.
Singh's contribution to the development of the state is exemplary which will never be forgotten, he added.
His strong willpower and significant work will be an inspiration for us, he added.
Shimla MP and BJP state President Suresh Kashyap, BJP Himachal Pradesh in charge Avinash Rai Khanna also expressed their condolences on his death.
In his condolence message, state Congress president Kuldeep Singh Rathore said, "No words, Speechless, End of the Era."

In a Facebook post in Hindi, Leader of Opposition in the Himachal Pradesh assembly, Mukesh Agnihotri, said "End of an era. The king of hearts is no more. Humble tribute."

Condoling his death, Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh described the former Himachal chief minister as an able administrator and a gentleman.

"Deeply saddened to hear of the passing away of former Himachal CM Raja Virbhadra Singh Ji. An able administrator and a gentleman who was loved by the people, he was not just an elder brother but also a mentor to many of us. May God grant his soul eternal peace," said Amarinder in a tweet.
Congress MP Partap Singh Bajwa and former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda also expressed condolences over Singh's death.
(With inputs from PTI)