Priyanka Gandhi hits out at Modi govt for stepmotherly attitude towards Himachal, hails Virbhadra Singh’s people-first politics
Shimla, Oct 13:
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday tore into the Modi government for “treating Congress-ruled states stepmotherly,” as she joined her mother Sonia Gandhi in unveiling the statue of six-time Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh at Shimla’s historic Ridge.
Speaking before a massive gathering, Priyanka said the people of Himachal were still waiting for central aid even after last year’s devastating floods and landslides.
“When Sukhvinder Sukhu had just become Chief Minister, the state faced unprecedented destruction. Families lost their homes, roads and schools were washed away, but the Centre refused to help. Why? Because Himachal has a Congress government,” she said to loud applause.
Calling the BJP’s attitude “narrow and vindictive,” she said, “This kind of politics—where help is denied just because a different party is in power—is wrong. Politics should be about service, not revenge.”
Priyanka paid a rich tribute to Virbhadra Singh, calling him “a leader whose every breath was dedicated to Himachal.”
She recalled how, during the last election campaign, she had sent her team to gauge people’s mood, and everyone spoke about Virbhadra’s simplicity.
“Shopkeepers told us — even as Chief Minister, he would drop by like one of their own. That connect with people, that humility, was his real strength,” she said.
She added, “That is the real Congress tradition — from Nehru to Indira Gandhi to Virbhadra Singh. To meet people, to listen, to understand their pain — this is our party’s culture.
Chief Minister Sukhu is walking the same path of simplicity and service.”
Priyanka said the country today needed “leaders who go beyond PR, social media and event management — leaders who work for education, employment and people’s welfare.”
She praised Rahul Gandhi for “fearlessly speaking the truth in the nation’s interest,” saying he represents “the values on which this country and the Congress were built.”
Earlier, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu thanked Sonia and Priyanka for attending the ceremony, saying, “Veerbhadra Singh ji turned power into a medium of service. His vision for a progressive Himachal will guide us forever.”
Vikramaditya Singh, PWD Minister and son of the late leader, called it “one of the most emotional days of his life,” adding, “This statue is not just stone — it’s the story of modern Himachal. My father’s ideals live in every youth, every farmer, every mother.”
State Congress president Pratibha Singh said, “Your (Priyanka and Sonia’s) presence here is a blessing for our family and every Congress worker in Himachal.”
Leaders Sachin Pilot, Rajeev Shukla, Deepender Hooda, and Mukesh Agnihotri also paid glowing tributes, calling Virbhadra “a statesman who defined development with dignity.”
As Priyanka concluded, she reminded the crowd, “Virbhadra ji saved every tree of Himachal — now it’s our duty to save these mountains and valleys, because this is our shared heritage.”
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