Shimla, June 15 – In a move that’s expected to be a significant political event, the Congress party has rescheduled the unveiling of the statue of former six-time Himachal Chief Minister and veteran leader Late Raja Virbhadra Singh at The Ridge in Shimla to July 15.
Addressing a press conference at Peterhoff today, Vikramaditya Singh, PWD Minister and son of the late leader, announced that the date change from June 23 to July 15 was made after consultations with the Congress central leadership.
The event is now poised to become a show of strength for the party with several senior leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and AICC Himachal in-charge Rajni Patil, expected to attend.
“On the advice of the central leadership, we have decided to unveil the statue of Raja Virbhadra Singh on July 15 instead of June 23, so that senior Congress leaders can attend the ceremony.
I have already met the Chief Minister and requested him to reschedule the date, and he has agreed,” Vikramaditya Singh told reporters.
He added that the statue has already arrived in Shimla and is ready for installation.
“Raja Virbhadra Singh was not just a towering leader of Himachal, but a respected national figure.
Leaders from across party lines have expressed interest in attending the unveiling. This ceremony will reflect his legacy and widespread acceptance,” Vikramaditya said.
He further informed that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, members of the state cabinet, all MLAs, and opposition leaders have been personally invited to attend the ceremony.
During the press conference, Vikramaditya Singh revealed that he recently visited New Delhi to invite top Congress leaders for the occasion.
“Both Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were willing to attend but had prior commitments on June 23 and will be out of Delhi.
Hence, on their request, we decided to hold the function on July 15,” he explained.
He emphasized that the function would be a historic tribute and a people’s gathering to honour a leader who shaped modern Himachal.
Earlier in the day, Vikramaditya Singh chaired a meeting of the Raja Virbhadra Singh Foundation at Peterhoff to chalk out detailed arrangements for the unveiling.
He also mentioned that the chaturvarshik shraddh (fourth death anniversary ritual) of Raja Sahib will be held on June 24 at his ancestral home in Rampur Bushahr, and extended an open invitation to the people of Himachal to attend.
“This is not just a party function, it's a people’s event. I have personally invited leaders from all parties, and many of them have shown keen interest in attending,” he said.
