Political observers note absence of Virbhadra family from Govt anniversary celebrations
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Shimla, Dec 11,
The Himachal Pradesh government’s third anniversary event in Mandi on Thursday saw the conspicuous absence of senior Congress leader Pratibha Singh and her son, Public Works Department Minister Vikramaditya Singh. Both leaders, according to sources familiar with their travel plans, left for the United Kingdom earlier in the day. Vikramaditya Singh is slated to receive an award in London and is accompanied by his wife, Dr. Amreen Kaur Sekhon, a professor at Panjab University.
Pratibha Singh, who recently relinquished charge as HPCC president and currently holds no organisational or governmental post, had been expected to attend the celebration. However, people aware of the matter indicated that she chose to stay away, recalling an incident at last year’s anniversary function in Bilaspur, where she was requested to curtail her address. She subsequently raised the issue with the All India Congress Committee, particularly regarding the non-formation of a full HPCC body. With no developments on that front for nearly a year, she remains without a defined organisational role.
The absence of the Virbhadra Singh family—an influential political presence in the state for over five decades—has naturally drawn attention. While no official statements have been issued by Pratibha Singh or Vikramaditya Singh regarding Thursday’s event, observers note that their non-participation underscores a shift in the intra-party landscape. The family has historically exercised considerable influence, especially in Shimla district, and their distance from a key government function marks a notable departure from long-standing political convention.
Meanwhile, the ruling party’s anniversary mobilisation this year was centred in the lower Himachal belt, with activities concentrated in Mandi, Kullu region where BJP governs a considerable hold.
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