Vikramaditya Singh Critiques Congress for Excluding Virbhadra Singh's Posters at Mandi Event
Vikramaditya Singh Expresses Discontent
Munish Sood
Mandi: The Minister for Public Works in Himachal Pradesh, Vikramaditya Singh, who is the son of the late Virbhadra Singh, a six-time Chief Minister, has publicly expressed his dissatisfaction regarding the absence of his father's posters during the Congress government's three-year celebration led by Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in Mandi on December 11.
Vikramaditya, along with his mother, Pratibha Singh, a former state Congress chief, chose to miss the Mandi event, opting instead for a trip to London with his wife. In a media interaction, he conveyed his disappointment that a leader of Virbhadra Singh's caliber was not visually represented at the Paddal Ground, the venue for the rally.
He pointed out that while the Congress party decided to exclude Virbhadra's posters, they had previously relied heavily on his legacy during the Assembly elections. Vikramaditya recalled that the Congress had initiated the 'Mujhe Yaad Rakhna' campaign in honor of his father ahead of the 2022 elections. The absence of his father's posters has ignited political discussions throughout Himachal Pradesh.
“My father was not just a former Chief Minister; he was a significant political figure who served Himachal Pradesh six times and was instrumental in the state's development. It is truly regrettable to overlook such a leader during a significant event,” Vikramaditya remarked.
He emphasized that the Congress's success in the 2022 elections was closely tied to Virbhadra Singh's legacy. “The elections were contested in his name. Just a day before voting, the Congress central leadership introduced the slogan ‘Mujhe Yaad Rakhna’. This campaign resonated emotionally with the electorate, and its influence was evident in the election outcomes,” he stated.
Vikramaditya noted that while having a portrait displayed would have been a nice gesture, the essence of political stature transcends mere banners or hoardings. “This was a government event, and it would have been fitting to showcase portraits of all former Chief Ministers. However, true leadership is built on public trust and dedicated service, not just images,” he explained.
He also highlighted that Virbhadra Singh has already received the highest public honor, with a grand statue erected at The Ridge in Shimla, inaugurated in the presence of Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. “This alone signifies the respect and recognition he has earned,” he added.
In conclusion, Vikramaditya made a poignant statement regarding his father's lasting legacy. “A leader's greatness is not determined by their presence on a stage but by their ability to win the hearts of the people. Virbhadra Singh achieved this throughout his life and continues to do so. His image may not always be visible at rallies, but it is forever engraved in the hearts of the people. Leaders who truly connect with the public do not require posters to validate their significance,” he asserted.