Himachal Pradesh Ex Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh Dies At 87

Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Senior Congress leader Virbhadra Singh passed away in Shimla on Thursday morning.  after a prolonged illness. An 87 year old vetran actor died at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) at 3.40 am after a prolonged illness. He was admitted in the critical care unit of IGMC after he suffered from a heart attack on Monday. 

According to news agency PTI, Virbhadra Singh had been battling a prolonged illness. He was tested Covid positive on June 11 for the second time in two months. The Himachal Pradesh government released an official statement on Friday and declared three-day state mourning, from July 8 to July 10, in the honour of Virbhadra Singh. During the mourning period there will be no official entertainment. 

Mr. Singh popularly known as Raja Sahib had been nine time MLA and five time MP. he served Himachal Pradesh’s chief minister for six times. He had been Minister of State for Industries, between 1982 to 1983 and Union Minister of  Steel, between 2009 to 2011 and Union Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) from between 2011 to 2012. He also remained as Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee president in years 1977, 1979, 1980 and 2012.

Virbhadra Singh is survived by his wife and a son. Mr Singh’s wife Pratibha Singh and son Vikramaditya Singh are also politicians. Ms Pratibha is former MP, while Vikramaditya is MLA from Shimla rural.

(With Inputs from PTI)