Pratibha, Vikramaditya Skip HP Govt Anniversary; Virbhadra Family Sidelined at Party Event

HP, Dec 12 : The Himachal Pradesh government’s third anniversary celebrations in Mandi on Monday were marked by a conspicuous absence as Congress veteran and former HPCC chief Pratibha Singh, along with her son and PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh, skipped the party’s high-profile Jansampark Sammelan.

Sources close to the family confirmed that the two leaders 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 stepped down as the state Congress chief and currently holds no organisational or governmental role, was expected to attend the Mandi event. However, she reportedly stayed away due to lingering resentment from last year’s anniversary function in Bilaspur, where she was asked to cut short her speech. She later lodged a complaint with the AICC over the non-formation of the HPCC body, but after a year’s wait, she finds herself increasingly sidelined.

The absence of the Virbhadra Singh family, long considered the backbone of Congress politics in Himachal Pradesh, highlights a significant shift in the party’s internal power dynamics. For nearly six decades, the family has wielded substantial influence, especially in Shimla district. Their exclusion from this year’s celebrations marks a decisive break from tradition.

This year, the Congress’ mobilisation strategy shifted towards lower Himachal, with the focus on Hamirpur, Mandi, Kullu and the Dehra region of Kangra district. The rally also registered a strong turnout from the home constituency of Kamlesh Kumari, wife of the Chief Minister, signalling efforts to consolidate the party’s support base ahead of a crucial political season.