Virbhadra Singh

Virbhadra Singh was born on 23 June 1934 at Sarahan, Shimla district{{cite web |url=http://himachalpr.gov.in/biodataCM.htm |title=Bio Data of Chief Minister |access-date = 27 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121230183549/http://himachalpr.gov.in/biodataCM.htm |archive-date=30 December 2012}} in the Rajput family{{Cite web|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/its-rajput-versus-rajput-in-himachal-polls.html|title=It's Rajput versus Rajput in Himachal polls|website=The Week }} of the erstwhile princely state of Bushahr.{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rampur-bushahr-mourns-virbhadra-singh-death-7396375/|title = Virbhadra Singh dies: Rampur Bushahr mourns the passing of 'Raja sahab'|date = 9 July 2021}} He was the 122nd{{Cite web|last=Service|first=Tribune News|title=Vikramaditya's 'raj tilak' before Raja's cremation|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/vikramadityas-raj-tilak-before-rajas-cremation-281014|access-date=2021-07-10|website=Tribuneindia News Service|language=en}} titular Raja of Bushahr from 1947 until 1971, when, by the 26th Amendment to the Constitution of India, the privy purses of the princes were abolished and official recognition of their titles came to an end.[http://indiacode.nic.in/coiweb/amend/amend26.htm The 26th amendment of the Indian constitution]

Singh was educated at Colonel Brown Cambridge School, Dehradun, St. Edward's School, Shimla and Bishop Cotton School, Shimla and later obtained a BA Honours degree from St. Stephen's College, Delhi.{{Cite web|date=24 June 2021|title=Congress veteran, six-time Himachal CM Virbhadra Singh turns 88|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/congress-veteran-six-time-himachal-cm-virbhadra-singh-turns-88-101624478564155.html|access-date=9 July 2021|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}

He was married to Ratna Kumari, princess of Jubbal in May 1954.{{Cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/writereaddata/biodata_1_12/1689.htm|title=Members Bioprofile|website=loksabhaph.nic.in}}{{Cite web|last=Rathore|first=Abhinay|title=Bashahr (Princely State)|url=http://www.indianrajputs.com/view/bashahr|access-date=2021-07-10|website=Rajput Provinces of India|date=17 October 1989 |language=en}} They had four daughters including Abhilasha Kumari, a former judge who served on the High Court of Gujarat from 2006 to 2018.{{Cite web|agency=tnn|date=7 Feb 2018|title=Judge Abhilasha Kumari prmoted: Justice Abhilasha Kumari promoted {{!}} Ahmedabad News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/justice-abhilasha-kumari-promoted/articleshow/62812014.cms|access-date=9 July 2021|website=The Times of India|language=en}} Ratna Kumari died in 1983 after prolonged sickness.

In 1985, he was married for the second time, to Pratibha Singh, princess of Keonthal.{{cite web |url=http://india.gov.in/govt/loksabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=1689 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514144834/http://india.gov.in/govt/loksabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=1689 |archive-date=14 May 2011 |access-date=5 January 2012 |title=Detailed Profile: Shri Virbhadra Singh |publisher=Government of India}} Pratibha had been elected thrice to the Lok Sabha from Mandi, for the first time in 2004 and afterwards in 2013 and 2021 bypolls.{{Cite web|date=2021-11-02|title=Explained: The key reasons behind Pratibha Singh's victory in Mandi bypoll|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/shimla/himachal-mandi-bypoll-result-pratibha-singh-7604120/|access-date=2021-11-02|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Service|first=Tribune News|title=Only 3 women LS MPs since 1952|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/himachal/only-3-women-ls-mps-since-1952-743763|access-date=9 July 2021|website=Tribuneindia News Service|language=en}} They both had a daughter and a son. His daughter, Aparajitha Kumari, married Angad Singh, grandson of former Chief Minister of Punjab, Amarinder Singh.{{Cite web |date=4 March 2015 |title=A royal Congress wedding: Virbhadra’s daughter to marry Amarinder grandson on March 7 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/a-royal-congress-wedding/ |access-date=8 May 2025 |website=The Indian Express}} His son Vikramaditya Singh is currently serving as Member of Legislative Assembly from Shimla Rural constituency.{{Cite news|author=The Hindu Net Desk|date=18 December 2017|title=Himachal Pradesh Assembly election results — counting ends as BJP seals majority with 44 seats|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/himachal-pradesh-2017/live-updates-himachal-pradesh-legislative-assembly-election-results/article21830225.ece|access-date=9 July 2021|issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite web|last=Service|first=Tribune News|title=Pictures: Virbhadra Singh cremated with full state honours; son Vikramaditya's 'raj tilak' done|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/vikramadityas-raj-tilak-done-sea-of-humanity-at-padam-palace-to-catch-last-glimpse-of-virbhadra-281055|access-date=2021-07-10|website=Tribuneindia News Service|language=en}}

Singh gained a seat in the Lok Sabha—which is the lower house of the Parliament of India—in the Indian general elections of 1962.{{Cite news |last1=Prabhu |first1=Chawla |title=Thakur Ram Lal resigns as Himachal Pradesh CM to pave the way for Virbhadra Singh |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19830430-thakur-ram-lal-resigns-as-himachal-pradesh-cm-to-pave-the-way-for-virbhadra-singh-771329-2013-10-21 |access-date=24 February 2021 |work=India Today |publisher=India Today |date=30 April 1983 |language=en}} He repeated that success in the elections of 1967 and 1971. He was again elected to the Lok Sabha in 1980 and a further election to that house came in 2009, following an absence from the intervening two Lok Sabhas. His wife had served a term following her victory in the 2004 elections.{{Cite web |url=http://164.100.24.208/ls/lsmember/biodata.asp?mpsno=4044 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030110336/http://164.100.24.208/ls/lsmember/biodata.asp?mpsno=4044 |archive-date=30 October 2007 |title=Biographical Sketch — Member of Parliament - 14th Lok Sabha |publisher=Parliament of India |access-date=5 March 2012}}

He was a member of the Indian Delegation to the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1976.

Between 1976 and 1977, Singh held the national office of Deputy Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation in central cabinet. He was Minister of State for Industries between 1980 and 1983. From May 2009 until January 2011, he held the cabinet post of Minister for Steel. He then became cabinet minister with responsibility for Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, until resigning from office in June 2012.{{cite news| url= http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-26/india/32423613_1_virbhadra-singh-graft-charges-union-minister| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130707203501/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-26/india/32423613_1_virbhadra-singh-graft-charges-union-minister| url-status= dead| archive-date= 7 July 2013| title=Union minister Virbhadra Singh resigns from Cabinet following graft charges |date=26 June 2012 |agency=TNN | newspaper= The Times of India|access-date=26 June 2012}}

Aside from his role in national politics, Singh had also been elected on seven occasions to the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly. The first occasion was in a by-election in October 1983, when he was returned for the Jubbal-Kotkhai constituency. He won that seat again in the 1985 elections. Thereafter, he was elected from the Rohru constituency in 1990, 1993, 1998, 2003 and 2007 and in 2012 from Shimla rural assembly constituency.{{Cite web|title=Virbhadra Singh: Congress leader who had special place in hearts of Himachalis|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/jul/08/virbhadra-singh-congress-leader-who-had-special-place-in-hearts-of-himachalis-2327229.html|access-date=8 July 2021|website=The New Indian Express|date=8 July 2021 }}

File:J.B.L Khachi with other congress leaders welcoming Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.jpg, Virbhadra Singh, Sat Mahajan (in back), Jai Bihari Lal Khachi and Sagar Chand Nayyar during Rajiv Gandhi's visit to Shimla]]

Singh became the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh for the first time in April 1983 and held the post until March 1990. He was again appointed to the role between December 1993 and March 1998; and once more from March 2003. With reappointments within those years, this record amounted to him holding the office on five occasions.

Between 1998 and 2003, Singh was Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly. He was president of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee in 1977, 1979 and 1980 and from 26 August 2012 to December 2012.{{Cite news|agency=Press Trust of India|date=8 July 2021|title=Virbhadra Singh, Congress leader and former Himachal chief minister, dies|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/former-himachal-pradesh-chief-minister-virbhadra-singh-passes-away-121070800094_1.html|access-date=8 July 2021}} In July 2012, he quit all key party posts at a crucial time prior to the state elections of November 2012. It has been reported that the trigger for the resignations was his exclusion from the Screening Committee for short-listing of election candidates.{{cite news | url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Virbhadra-quits-all-party-posts-in-a-huff/Article1-900501.aspx | title=Virbhadra quits all party posts in a huff | date=27 July 2012 | access-date=27 July 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120727060915/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Virbhadra-quits-all-party-posts-in-a-huff/Article1-900501.aspx | archive-date=27 July 2012 | url-status=dead}}

Singh was appointed to lead the party on the eve of the November 2012 elections and did so with success.{{cite news| url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/virbhadra-singh-makes-a-come-back-with-congress-impresive-win/1048075/0 |title=HP polls 2012: Virbhadra Singh makes comeback with Congress win |first=Ashwani |last=Sharma |date=20 December 2012 |access-date=25 December 2012}} The party then agreed to him becoming Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh for a record sixth time.{{cite news| url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/virbhadra-singh-sworn-in-as-himachal-cm-for-a-record-6th-time/1049981/0 |work=The Indian Express|agency=Press Trust of India|date=25 December 2012 |title=Virbhadra Singh sworn in as Himachal CM for a record 6th time|access-date=25 December 2012}} His party lost majority in the 2017 elections and he tendered his resignation afterwards.{{Cite web|last=PTI|date=19 December 2017|title=Himachal elections: CM Virbhadra Singh resigns after Congress loses power|url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/YTv79sYhWHFliTxK86tZYM/Himachal-Pradesh-elections-CM-Virbhadra-Singh-resigns-after.html|access-date=9 July 2021|website=mint|language=en}}

Outside of politics, Singh had an involvement with various social and cultural bodies. A consequence of these interests is that he was president of the Sanskrit Sahitya Sammelan and of the Himachal Pradesh branch of the Friends of the Soviet Union.

On 3 August 2009, a legal case was registered against Singh and his wife by the Anti-Corruption Bureau of Himachal Pradesh. The allegations were that they had breached the Prevention of Corruption Act in 1989, when Singh was Chief Minister of the state. The Bureau alleged that it had evidence in recorded conversations between the couple and various others concerning suspect financial transactions.{{cite news|title=Virbhadra Singh summoned by court|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/virbhadra-singh-summoned-by-court-in-corruption-case-61898|publisher=NDTV |agency=Press Trust of India|date=23 October 2010 |access-date=5 March 2012}} The alleged recordings, which involved a now-dead officer of the Indian Administrative Service and several industrialists, dated from 2007 and were provided by a political opponent, Vijai Singh Mankotia.{{cite news|title=Himachal government seeks cancellation of Virbhadra's bail |url=http://twocircles.net/2011apr07/himachal_government_seeks_cancellation_virbhadras_bail.html |agency=Indo-Asian News Service|date=7 April 2011 |access-date=5 March 2012}}

The couple were granted bail in December 2010, but in April 2011, the state government requested that this be rescinded due to allegations of witness tampering. This request followed attempts by two industrialists to remove themselves from the prosecution case, claiming that the evidence was forged and incorrect.{{Cite news|title=Key witness in steel minister's CD case turns hostile|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-10/india/28361740_1_key-witness-cd-case-prosecution|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921052204/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-10/india/28361740_1_key-witness-cd-case-prosecution|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 September 2013|first=Ravinder |last=Makhaik |date=10 January 2011 |newspaper=The Times of India|access-date=5 March 2012}}{{cite news|title=Virbhadra CD Case : Witness moves court against prosecution|url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/virbhadra-cd-case-witness-moves-court-against-prosecution_100522142.html |date=4 April 2011 |agency=Indo-Asian News Service|publisher=Thaindian.com |access-date=5 March 2012}}

The Singhs have attempted to have the matter taken out of police hands and passed to the Central Bureau of Investigation, as well as seeking a stay on further trial court proceedings. In January 2012, the Himachal Pradesh High Court had refused the latest of their petitions aimed at achieving the transfer and stay. The court ordered that the examination of potential charges and evidence by a trial court should go ahead. On 26 June 2012, Singh resigned from the Union Cabinet as a consequence of corruption charges being pressed against him.{{cite news| url= http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Union-minister-Virbhadra-Singh-resigns-from-Cabinet/articleshow/14406486.cms?| title=Union minister Virbhadra Singh resigns from Cabinet following graft charges |newspaper=The Times of India|date=26 June 2012 |agency=TNN |access-date=26 June 2012}} The couple were acquitted on the eve of Singh taking the role of Chief Minister in December 2012.{{cite news| url= http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-12-24/india/35991298_1_virbhadra-singh-bl-soni-pratibha-singh| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130921052724/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-12-24/india/35991298_1_virbhadra-singh-bl-soni-pratibha-singh| url-status= dead| archive-date= 21 September 2013| title=Himachal CM-designate Virbhadra Singh acquitted in corruption case |date=24 December 2012 |agency=TNN | newspaper= The Times of India|access-date=24 December 2012}}

In 2015 the Central Bureau of Investigation filed a case against Singh and his family for owning assets to the tune of Rs. 6.1 crore disproportionate to his known sources of income when he was the union minister between 2009 and 2011. Cases have been filed against his wife Pratibha Singh, son Vikramaditya and daughter Aparajita as well.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cbi-registers-preliminary-enquiry-against-himachal-cm-virbhadra-singh/article7329519.ece|title=CBI registers PE against Himachal CM in graft case|newspaper=The Hindu|date=18 June 2015|via=www.thehindu.com}}{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/cbi-to-question-virbhadra-kin-in-graft-case/articleshow/47873817.cms|title=CBI to question Virbhadra, kin in graft case | India News - Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=30 June 2015 }} On Saturday, 26 September, the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) raided 11 properties of Virbhadra Singh to probe the charges of accumulating disproportionate assets. A case had been filed by the agency one day before the raids.{{Cite web|date=26 September 2015|title=FIR against Himachal CM Virbhadra Singh, CBI raids his houses|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/himachal-cm-virbhadra-singh-s-houses-raided-by-cbi/story-Wzl0Qp4CWb3G8nSlQom8hJ.html|access-date=8 July 2021|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}} On 26 October 2015, the Indian Supreme Court turned down a CBI plea seeking stay against an earlier order issued by the Himachal Pradesh High Court granting protection from arrest and other relief to him and his wife in a disproportionate assets case. The SC, however, issued a notice to Singh and his wife, seeking response from Singh on the two petitions filed by the CBI.{{cite news |url=http://dailypost.in/editor-s-pick/50607-sc-disallows-cbi-plea-for-stay-on-hp-high-court-order-seeks-virbhadra-s-reply |title=SC disallows CBI plea for stay on HP High Court order; seeks Virbhadra's reply |newspaper=Daily Post |date=26 October 2015 |agency=DP News and Agencies |access-date=26 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219093741/http://dailypost.in/editor-s-pick/50607-sc-disallows-cbi-plea-for-stay-on-hp-high-court-order-seeks-virbhadra-s-reply |archive-date=19 December 2015 |url-status=dead}}

Singh's health deteriorated after he suffered from a cardiac arrest on 5 July 2021 in Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla.{{Cite web|last1=An|first1=Bodh|date=Jul 8, 2021|title=Virbhadra Singh Death News: Virbhadra Singh, Congress veteran and former Himachal Pradesh CM, dies aged 87 {{!}} Shimla News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/shimla/virbhadra-singh-congress-veteran-and-former-himachal-pradesh-cm-dies-aged-87/articleshow/84223645.cms|access-date=10 July 2021|website=The Times of India|language=en}} He had tested positive for COVID-19 on 11 June for the second time in two months.{{Cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/former-himachal-pradesh-chief-minister-virbhadra-singh-passes-away/2286155/|title=Former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh passes away|date=8 July 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/raja-sahib-who-ruled-hearts-for-50-years-loses-last-battle-101625707463429.html|title=Raja Sahib who ruled hearts for 50 years loses last battle|date=8 July 2021|website=Hindustan Times}} Virbhadra Singh died on 8 July 2021 due to multiple organ failure. The Himachal Pradesh government observed a three-day state mourning as a mark of respect to him.{{Cite news|last=PTI|date=8 July 2021|title=President, PM, leaders condole demise of Virbhadra Singh|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/president-pm-leaders-condole-demise-of-virbhadra-singh/article35206237.ece|access-date=9 July 2021|issn=0971-751X}} Virbhadra Singh was cremated with full state honours in Shimla's Rampur Bushahr on 10 July 2021.{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rampur-bushahr-mourns-virbhadra-singh-death-7396375/|title=Rampur Bushahr mourns on death of Virbhadra Singh|website=indianexpress.com}}

{{gallery

|File:The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Shri Virbhadra Singh calls on the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on June 2, 2004.jpg|The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Shri Virbhadra Singh calls on the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on 2 June 2004

|File:The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Virbhadra Singh meeting the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, in New Delhi on June 28, 2013.jpg| The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Virbhadra Singh meeting the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, in New Delhi on 28 June 2013

|File:The Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia with the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Virbhadra Singh.jpg| The Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia with the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Virbhadra Singh

|File:The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Virbhadra Singh calling on the Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, in New Delhi on June 05, 2014.jpg| The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Virbhadra Singh calling on the Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, in New Delhi on 5 June 2014

|File:The Chief Minister Raja Virbhadra Singh introducing the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh to the State Ministers of Himachal Pradesh in Shimla, on May 29, 2005.jpg| The Chief Minister Raja Virbhadra Singh introducing the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh to the State Ministers of Himachal Pradesh in Shimla, on 29 May 2005

|File:The Union Minister of Steel, Shri Virbhadra Singh addressing a Press Conference, in New Delhi on May 31, 2010.jpg| The Union Minister of Steel, Shri Virbhadra Singh addressing a Press Conference, in New Delhi on 31 May 2010

|File:Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Shri. Ghulam Nabi Azad.jpg| Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Shri. Ghulam Nabi Azad

|File:Tarun Gogoi, the Chief Minister of Punjab, Shri Prakash Singh Badal, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Virbhadra Singh, the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Dr. Raman Singh, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.jpg| Tarun Gogoi, the Chief Minister of Punjab, Shri Prakash Singh Badal, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Virbhadra Singh, the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Dr. Raman Singh, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu

|File:Pranab Mukherjee being welcomed by the Governor of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Kalyan Singh and the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Virbhadra Singh, on his arrival, at Kalyani Helipad, in Himachal Pradesh.jpg| Pranab Mukherjee being welcomed by the Governor of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Kalyan Singh and the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Virbhadra Singh, on his arrival, at Kalyani Helipad, in Himachal Pradesh

|File:Tarun Gogoi, the Chief Minister of Punjab, Shri Prakash Singh Badal, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Virbhadra Singh, the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Dr. Raman Singh, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (1).jpg| Tarun Gogoi, the Chief Minister of Punjab, Shri Prakash Singh Badal, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Virbhadra Singh, the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Dr. Raman Singh, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu

|File:Virbhadra Singh meeting the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting (Independent Charge), Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Independent Charge) and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Prakash Javadekar, in New Delhi.jpg| Virbhadra Singh meeting the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting (Independent Charge), Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Independent Charge) and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Prakash Javadekar, in New Delhi

|File:The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Virbhadra Singh calling on the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, in New Delhi on December 10, 2015.jpg| The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Virbhadra Singh calling on the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, in New Delhi on 10 December 2015

|File:Narendra Modi being welcomed by the Governor of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Acharya Devvrat and the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Virbhadra Singh, at a function, in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh October 18, 2016.jpg| Narendra Modi being welcomed by the Governor of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Acharya Devvrat and the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Virbhadra Singh, at a function, in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh 18 October 2016

|File:The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Virbhadra Singh calling on the Vice President, Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari, in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh on June 09, 2015.jpg|The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Virbhadra Singh calling on the Vice President, Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari, in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh on 9 June 2015

|File:The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Virbhadra Singh meeting the Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways and Shipping, Shri Nitin Gadkari, in New Delhi on August 01, 2014.jpg| The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Virbhadra Singh meeting the Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways and Shipping, Shri Nitin Gadkari, in New Delhi on 1 August 2014

|File:Vilasrao Deshmukh Maharashtra, Shri Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy Andhra Pradesh, Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad J&K, Shri Virbhadra Singh, Himachal Pradesh.jpg| Vilasrao Deshmukh Maharashtra, Shri Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy Andhra Pradesh, Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad J&K, Shri Virbhadra Singh, Himachal Pradesh

|File:Jagat Prakash Nadda along with the Union Minister for Agriculture, Shri Radha Mohan Singh assessed the damages to crops during the unseasonal rains and hail in Himachal Pradesh.jpg| Jagat Prakash Nadda along with the Union Minister for Agriculture, Shri Radha Mohan Singh assessed the damages to crops during the unseasonal rains and hail in Himachal Pradesh

|File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi being briefed on structure of AIIMS, in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh.jpg| The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi being briefed on structure of AIIMS, in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh

|File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi launching the UDAN – Regional Connectivity Scheme for Civil Aviation - by flagging-off the first UDAN flight from Shimla,.jpg|The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi launching the UDAN – Regional Connectivity Scheme for Civil Aviation - by flagging-off the first UDAN flight from Shimla

|File:The world renowned WWF wrestler, Khali calls on the Union Minister of Steel, Shri Virbhadra Singh, in New Delhi on November 10, 2009.jpg|The world renowned WWF wrestler, Khali calls on the Union Minister of Steel, Shri Virbhadra Singh, in New Delhi on 10 November 2009

|File:The Union Minister of Steel, Shri Virbhadra Singh presenting the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' of the Dalal Street Investment Journal PSU Awards-2010 to the Chairman, SAIL, Shri S.K. Roongta, in New Delhi on April 06, 2010.jpg|The Union Minister of Steel, Shri Virbhadra Singh presenting the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' of the Dalal Street Investment Journal PSU Awards-2010 to the Chairman, SAIL, Shri S.K. Roongta, in New Delhi on 6 April 2010

}}

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|Virbhadra Singh}}

• [https://books.google.com/books?id=Ca_cPgAACAAJ&q=virbhadra+singh+book Raja Virbhadra Singh: The Untold Story] - Girish Suri
• {{YouTube|zwf36KqjMps|Mukhyamantri: Episode 4}}

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{{s-bef|before=Pratibha Singh}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament
for Mandi |years=2009–2013}}

{{s-aft|after=Pratibha Singh}}

|-

{{s-off}}

{{succession box

| before = |

title= Minister of State for Tourism, Civil Aviation|

years= December 1976 – March 1977|

after=

}}

{{succession box

| before = |

| title = Minister of State for Industries |

| years = September 1982 – April 1983 |

| after = |

}}

{{succession box

| before = Thakur Ram Lal

| title = Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh

| years = 8 April 1983 – 5 March 1990

| after = Shanta Kumar

}}

{{succession box

| before = Shanta Kumar

| title = Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh

| years = 3 December 1993 – 24 March 1998

| after = Prem Kumar Dhumal

}}

{{succession box

| before = Prem Kumar Dhumal

| title = Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh

| years = 6 March 2003 – 30 December 2007

| after = Prem Kumar Dhumal

}}

{{succession box

| before = Ram Vilas Paswan

| title = Minister of Steel

| years = 28 May 2009 – 18 January 2011

| after = Beni Prasad Verma

}}

{{succession box

| before = Dinsha Patel

| title = Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

| years = 19 January 2011 – 26 June 2012

| after = Vilasrao Deshmukh

}}

{{succession box

| before = Prem Kumar Dhumal

| title = Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh

| years = 25 December 2012 – 27 December 2017

| after = Jai Ram Thakur

}}

{{s-end}}

{{Chief Ministers of Himachal Pradesh}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Virbhadra}}

Category:1934 births

Category:2021 deaths

Category:India MPs 1962–1967

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Category:India MPs 1971–1977

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Category:Chief ministers of Himachal Pradesh

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Category:Himachal Pradesh MLAs 1982–1985

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Category:St. Stephen's College, Delhi alumni

Category:Steel ministers of India

Category:Indian National Congress politicians from Himachal Pradesh

Category:Bishop Cotton School Shimla alumni

Category:Presidents of Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee