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Centre ignoring Himachal because it is Cong-ruled state: Priyanka Gandhi
Priyanka targets BJP-led Centre, claiming it had provided no help to disaster-hit Himachal Pradesh and it’s politics is limited to winning elections.
Congress leader Sonia Gandhi unveiled a statue of six-time chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, Virbhadra Singh, at Daulat Singh Park on the historic Ridge Ground in Shimla on Monday.
The Congress parliamentary party (CPP) chairperson was accompanied by her daughter and Congress general secretary and MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and paid floral tributes to the late leader after inaugurating the six-foot-tall bronze statue that has been installed near the statues of YS Parmar, the first chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, Mahatma Gandhi and former prime ministers Indira Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Addressing the well-attended gathering, Priyanka said: “Today is a moment of pride for all of us. Virbhadra Singh worked with integrity and lived among the masses, heard them out and worked for their welfare. (Chief minister) Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is also progressing on the same path. This is the tradition of the Congress.”
Targeting the BJP-led Centre, she said, “Today, the country needs a government committed to true development and goes beyond PR. Himachal suffered heavy losses in the recent monsoon yet the central government has provided no assistance. The BJP’s politics is limited only to winning elections.Congress stands for truth, sacrifice, and development and Himachal is a living example of that legacy.”
Priyanka Gandhi accused the NDA government and BJP leadership of indulging in divisive, vote-bank politics and neglecting Himachal during natural calamities, criticising the central government, alleging discrimination against Himachal because it is ruled by the Congress. She praised the CM Sukhu for personally supporting affected families, contrasting this with the Centre’s focus on electoral politics over people’s welfare.
Sonia Gandhi, along with Priyanka, and other Congress leaders visited a photo exhibition highlighting the life and legacy of Virbhadra Singh.
Unveiling amid tight security
Scion of the Rampur-Bushahr royal family, Virbhadra first assumed office as chief minister on April 8, 1983, and spent the next four decades in public life, becoming the CM five more times. He died on July 18, 2021, after a prolonged illness.
His wife, Pratibha Singh, who is the state party chief, and his son, Vikramaditya Singh, is the public works minister in the Himachal Pradesh government. The statue unveiling and a rally that followed, were organised by Vikramaditya Singh, who is also the chairman of the Raja Virbhadra Singh Foundation.
The statue’s unveiling was initially planned for Virbhadra Singh’s birth anniversary on June 23, but was postponed.
A large number of party workers and the people turned up for the event. Security was tightened and around 400 police personnel were deployed for the event. The city was divided into five security sectors with a special plan for traffic and parking. The movement of transport and utility vehicles and heavy vehicles within the city was suspended till 3pm.
Chief minister Sukhu, deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri, HPCC president Pratibha Singh, as well as Congress leaders Sachin Pilot and Deepender Hooda were present at the event.
The Congress’s state in-charge Rajni Patil, cabinet ministers of the state and Congress leader Rajiv Shukla also attended the statue unveiling.
Development in HP is contribution of Congress party: Sukhu
Partying tributes to Virbhadra Singh, CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said, “When there were no roads in the state, he (Virbhadra) laid an entire network of roads, transformed education and brought power to the remotest regions. For him, power meant service, and we must carry forward this legacy.”
“No BJP leaders has contributed towards Himachal’s development”, said Sukhu.
Virbhadra Singh was the architect of modern Himachal: Agnihotri
Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri described Virbhadra Singh as a political statesman who devoted over five decades to public life. “Indira Gandhi created Himachal, YS Parmar laid its foundation, and Virbhadra Singh filled it with colours. He was a people’s leader who met citizens even past midnight; a leader remembered as a leader,” Agnihotri said.
I will fulfil my father’s dreams for Himachal:Vikramaditya
Public works department minister and Virbhadra Singh foundation chairman Vikramaditya Singh, said, “Virbhadra Singh was not just a name, he was the spirit of every farmer, every field, every youth, and every mother in this state. This statue is not just carved in stone; it represents Himachal’s history, culture, and the emotions of its people. I pledge before this statue to fulfil my father’s unfinished dreams and take Himachal to new heights.”
A proud and emotional moment for our family: Pratibha Singh
“This is a proud and emotional moment for our family and the entire state. This statue will forever remind us that a true leader treats power as a means to serve people. We are committed to carrying forward his vision of progress and justice,” said Pratibha Singh.
BJP hits out at Congress high command
Former chief minister and Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur has criticised the Congress high command on Monday. “Priyanka Gandhi herself came to Himachal and made political statements in the name of a government program on the Ridge, but not once did she ask the government a single question about the guarantees she had given,” said Jai Ram in a statement issued on Monday. He said, “....for political gain, they spared no effort in criticising the Prime Minister on the government platform.”
“The state is going through a disaster. In such a situation, top Congress leaders should have visited the affected areas and met with the disaster victims. They should have reviewed the steps taken by the Himachal government. If the Prime Minister can visit the disaster-affected areas, meet with the affected people, and provide relief worth ₹1,500 crore, what problem does the Congress high command have in meeting with the affected people?” questioned Thakur.
“Priyanka Gandhi claims that the Himachal government works on public connection, not PR or social media. So, isn’t Rahul Gandhi, who goes among the people with an army of cameras and works in socks, pulling a PR stunt? The Himachal government is running solely on lies and PR,” he said.
Roads wore festive looks
All the roads leading to Historic Ridge Maidan in Shimla wore a festive looks. Flags of Congress party as well as those having pictures of Virbhdra Singh flanked the roads. People from different parts of the state reached the venue and danced to the traditional folk music. Captivating performance by folk artists added to the joyous atmosphere. The roads were choked with people and LED screens were installed at various places on Mall Road for the people who could not make it to the Ridge.
Traffic snarls
Traffic jams were witnessed on all roads leading to Shimla as well as the arterial roads of the town. Despite a special plan for management, traffic snarls were witnessed causing a great inconvenience for the office goers. The vehicles coming from Upper Shimla region of Theog, Rampur, Rohru and Chopal side were parked between Chaulanthi and Dhalli bypass while the vehicles arriving from Solan, Arki, Bilaspur, Shimla Gramin side were parked between Boileauganj crossing, Boileauganj to Tavi turn and Chaura Maidan.
