Shimla, Oct 12 (NationPress) Sonia Gandhi, the Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, arrived in the capital of Himachal Pradesh on Sunday to take part in the statue unveiling ceremony of the legendary Virbhadra Singh, who served as the Chief Minister of the state for an impressive six terms.

The statue is set to be installed at Daulat Singh Park on the historic Ridge.

Upon her arrival in Shimla, she was greeted by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu and his Cabinet colleagues.

Originally, the unveiling was scheduled for Virbhadra Singh's birth anniversary on June 23, but was postponed due to the commitments of the party leadership.

The invitation for this significant event was extended by Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, who is the son of the late leader and serves as the Chairman of the Raja Virbhadra Singh Foundation.

This statue will be positioned alongside those of other prominent figures, including Dr. Y.S. Parmar, the first Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, as well as Mahatma Gandhi, and former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who also have statues on the Ridge.

Virbhadra Singh, a Congress stalwart, passed away on July 8, 2021, at the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMCH) after a prolonged battle with post-Covid complications, at the age of 87.

Affectionately called ‘Raja Saab’, having been born into the former princely state of Bushahr, he was engaged in active politics for over 50 years.

The charismatic leader was known for his unique approach to politics, often folding his hands and bowing before constituents to garner votes for the party, whether in Assembly elections or civic body polls.

A nine-time legislator and five-time Member of Parliament, Singh made his entry into the Lok Sabha in 1962, famously stating: “I am a grassroots worker. I have risen from the ground and my roots are still firmly stuck here (in Himachal Pradesh).”

In the 2017 Assembly elections, both Virbhadra Singh and his son, Vikramaditya Singh, emerged victorious in their constituencies, despite the Congress party losing power.

Renowned for his kindness, humor, and charm, Virbhadra Singh was recognized for meticulously correcting bureaucratic documents and typing them on his personal typewriter. He was regarded as one of the most prominent leaders in the state, successfully navigating numerous political battles, even as he reached his eighties.