Event to be held at grand scale on October 13
Munish Sood
SHIMLA:
After months of anticipation, the Raja Virbhadra Singh Foundation has announced that the statue of six-time Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Congress stalwart Virbhadra Singh will be unveiled at Shimla’s historic Ridge on October 13, 2025, (Monday) at 10 am.
The invitation, shared by Vikramaditya Singh on Facebook, hails Virbhadra as the “Former Chief Minister & Architect of Modern Himachal”, highlighting the enduring political and emotional resonance of his legacy in the hill state.
The ceremony will see the presence of some of the highest-ranking leaders of the Congress, underscoring the political significance of the event. The invite lists Sonia Gandhi (MP and former UPA Chairperson), Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (MP & national general secretary, AICC), Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (Chief Minister, Himachal Pradesh), Rajni Patil (MP and state in-charge of HPCC), Pratibha Singh (president, HPCC), Mukesh Agnihotri (Deputy Chief Minister) and Vikramaditya Singh (Chairman, Raja Virbhadra Singh Foundation) as among those who will be present.
The unveiling had initially been planned for June 23, 2025, on Virbhadra Singh’s birth anniversary. However, catastrophic rains, cloudbursts and landslides caused widespread devastation in Himachal Pradesh, claiming lives and damaging infrastructure. The foundation postponed the ceremony and redirected efforts toward humanitarian relief, including a ₹11 lakh contribution to support the education of children orphaned by the disaster.
Affectionately known as “Raja Sahib”, Virbhadra Singh dominated Himachal Pradesh politics for over five decades. Serving six terms as chief minister, he played a decisive role in shaping the state’s development, particularly in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. The statue at the Ridge — Shimla’s symbolic heart — is being described as a fitting tribute to a leader whose influence on the state’s politics and public life remains unmatched.
While the event is primarily a tribute, the gathering also signals a consolidation of the Virbhadra camp within Himachal Congress. With Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra attending, the ceremony has naturally drawn attention as a national-level display of influence and loyalty.
However, the conspicuous absence of Rahul Gandhi, who now drives key decisions in the Congress, has not gone unnoticed. Party insiders speculate whether his non-attendance offers the Sukhu camp a breather and a space to quietly assert its presence without interference from the top leadership. Political watchers will likely read subtle messages about state-level alignments from who speaks, who arrives first, and how the event is orchestrated.
The foundation has extended a warm call to the public: “This is not just a political event but a historic moment for all who admired Raja Sahib’s vision and leadership.” Thousands of party workers, supporters, and residents are expected to attend, making October 13 not only a tribute to a towering political figure but also a stage where legacy, loyalty and contemporary power dynamics intersect.
