Virbhadra Singh was the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh for six terms. (file)
Shimla:
Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Virbhadra Singh passed away in Shimla early Thursday after a prolonged illness. He was 87 years old.
The veteran leader died at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC)at 3.40 am, senior medical superintendent Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) Dr. Janak Raj said.
He had suffered a heart attack on Monday and his condition was critical. He was in the critical care unit of IGMC.
Mr. Virbhadra was put on a ventilator on Wednesday under the supervision of doctors from the cardiology department after he complained of breathlessness.
A nine-time MLA and a five-time MP, Mr Singh served as the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh six times.
Mr. Virbhadra was tested positive for COVID-19 on June 11 for the second time in two months.
He had earlier tested positive for the disease on April 12.
Earlier, he was admitted to a hospital in Chandigarh after testing positive for coronavirus on April 12.
Mr Singh had returned home from Chandigarh Hospital at Holy Lodge on April 30 after recovering from the first infection.
However, within hours of reaching home, he was admitted to the IGMC with complaints of heart and breathing problems. Since then he was undergoing treatment in the hospital.
Mr Singh’s wife Pratibha Singh and the couple’s son Vikramaditya Singh are also politicians. Ms. Pratibha is a former MP, while Vikramaditya is an MLA from Shimla Rural.
He celebrated Mr. Singh’s 87th birthday in a simple manner at his residence in Holy Lodge by cutting a cake in the presence of his supporters on June 23. At that time, Mr. Virbhadra was conducting the convocation at IGMC.
The veteran Congress leader was the Chief Minister of the state for six terms – 8 April 1983 to 5 March 1990, 3 December 1993 to 23 March 1998 and 6 March 2003 to 29 December 2007 and was the Chief Minister for the sixth time. 25 December 2012 to 26 December 2017
Shri Singh was also the Leader of the Opposition from March 1998 to March 2003.
The veteran Congress leader also served as the Union Deputy Minister, Minister of State for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Industries, Union Minister of Steel and Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
He was re-elected to 13th Vidhan Sabha in December 2017 from Arki Assembly Constituency in Solan District.
Prior to this, he was elected to the State Legislative Assembly in October 1983 (by-election); Re-elected in 1985 from Jubbal-Kotkhai Assembly Constituency in 1990, 1993, 1998, 2003 and 2007 from Rohru Assembly Constituency and in 2012 from Shimla Rural Assembly Constituency.
He was also elected to the third Lok Sabha in 1962; Re-elected to 4th Lok Sabha from Mahasu constituency in 1967, 5th Lok Sabha in 1971, 7th Lok Sabha in 1980 and 15th Lok Sabha (5th term) in May 2009 from Mandi Lok Sabha constituency.
Experienced leaders were BA (Hons.), MA; Educated at Bishop Cotton School, Shimla and St Stephen’s College, Delhi.
Son of Late Raja Sir Padam Singh of Bushahr State, he was born on 23rd June, 1934 at Sarahani
He also served as the Himachal Pradesh Congress President from 1977, 1979, 1980 and from August 26, 2012 to December 2012.
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