On Monday, October 13, 2025, senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi led a significant ceremony in Shimla, unveiling a majestic statue dedicated to the enduring legacy of former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Virbhadra Singh. The event, held at Daulat Singh Park on the historic Ridge Ground, saw Ms. Gandhi, the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chairperson, accompanied by her daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, paying heartfelt floral tributes to the esteemed late leader.
The Congress party’s official social media shared live coverage of the ceremony, highlighting the unveiling of the statue of the former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Shri Virbhadra Singh, in Shimla.
This impressive six-foot-tall bronze statue finds its place among other prominent figures in Indian history and politics, including Dr. Y.S. Parmar, Himachal Pradesh’s first Chief Minister, Mahatma Gandhi, and former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, creating a pantheon of leadership.
Virbhadra Singh, a revered figure and scion of the Rampur-Bushahr royal family, embarked on a remarkable political journey, first assuming the office of Chief Minister on April 8, 1983. His distinguished career spanned four decades, during which he served as CM a remarkable six times, leaving an indelible mark on the state’s development before his passing in 2021 after a prolonged illness.
The unveiling ceremony was attended by a host of prominent political personalities, underscoring Virbhadra Singh’s widespread respect. Dignitaries present included current Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri, Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) president and Virbhadra’s wife, Pratibha Singh, along with other key Congress leaders such as Priyanka Gandhi, Sachin Pilot, and Deepender Hooda. State party in-charge Rajni Patil and fellow Congress leader Rajiv Shukla also graced the occasion.
The event drew a substantial crowd, reflecting the public’s regard for the late leader, and stringent security measures were in place to ensure a smooth and dignified ceremony.