Pratibha Singh shoots off letter to CEC, seeks bar on political parties using Virbhadra Singh’s name
SHIMLA: Former MP and former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh’s wife Pratibha Singh has shot off a letter to Chief Election Commissioner of India, urging the Election Commission to stop the registration of any new political party using the name, identity or legacy of the late Congress leader.
In her letter dated October 7, Pratibha Singh said Virbhadra Singh, who served as Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister six times and also held ministerial positions at the Centre, continued to command deep respect and influence among people in the state, particularly with the 2027 Assembly elections approaching.
She alleged that attempts were being made to float political outfits with names such as “Rashtrawadi Virbhadra Congress” and “Vir Congress”, allegedly with the intention of misleading people by exploiting the late leader’s name and political legacy.
She also raised objections to the proposed use of terms such as “Raja”, “Bushahr” and “Raja Bushahr” in the names of political parties, arguing that these are directly associated with Virbhadra Singh, who belonged to the erstwhile Bushahr royal family.
Pratibha Singh clarified that she did not question anyone’s right to form a political party, but objected to what she described as the unauthorised use of her late husband’s name, reputation and legacy. She said neither she nor any member of the Virbhadra Singh family had granted permission for such use.
Seeking intervention by the poll panel, she urged the CEC not to permit registration or approval of any political party bearing the above names or any similar name that, according to her, seeks to exploit Virbhadra Singh’s identity.
She further requested the Election Commission to give her an opportunity to present her case before taking any decision on applications seeking registration of parties using such names.
The move comes ahead of the 2027 Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, putting the spotlight on the political contest over Virbhadra Singh’s enduring legacy in the state.
