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	<id>https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&amp;feed=atom&amp;title=Virbhadra_Singh</id>
	<title>Virbhadra Singh - Revision history</title>
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	<updated>2026-10-28T20:01:30Z</updated>
	<subtitle>Revision history for this page on the wiki</subtitle>
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	<entry>
		<id>https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Virbhadra_Singh&amp;diff=289716&amp;oldid=prev</id>
		<title>-&gt;GhostInTheMachine: Changing short description from &quot;Indian politician&quot; to &quot;Indian politician (1934–2021)&quot; (Shortdesc helper)</title>
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		<updated>2022-01-01T16:46:37Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Changing &lt;a href=&quot;https://en.bharatpedia.org/wiki/Bharatpedia:Short_description&quot; class=&quot;extiw&quot; title=&quot;wikipedia:Short description&quot;&gt;short description&lt;/a&gt; from &amp;quot;Indian politician&amp;quot; to &amp;quot;Indian politician (1934–2021)&amp;quot; (&lt;a href=&quot;https://en.bharatpedia.org/wiki/Bharatpedia:Shortdesc_helper&quot; class=&quot;extiw&quot; title=&quot;wikipedia:Shortdesc helper&quot;&gt;Shortdesc helper&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;a href=&quot;//en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Virbhadra_Singh&amp;amp;diff=289716&amp;amp;oldid=140674&quot;&gt;Show changes&lt;/a&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>-&gt;GhostInTheMachine</name></author>
	</entry>
	<entry>
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		<title>imported&gt;BattyBot: /* Personal life */Removed/fixed incorrect author parameter(s), performed general fixes</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Virbhadra_Singh&amp;diff=140674&amp;oldid=prev"/>
		<updated>2021-08-03T19:30:43Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;autocomment&quot;&gt;Personal life: &lt;/span&gt;Removed/fixed incorrect author parameter(s), performed &lt;a href=&quot;https://en.bharatpedia.org/wiki/BP:AWB/GF&quot; class=&quot;extiw&quot; title=&quot;wp:AWB/GF&quot;&gt;general fixes&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;New page&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div&gt;{{short description |Indian politician}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2021}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{Infobox officeholder&lt;br /&gt;
| name                = Virbhadra Singh&lt;br /&gt;
| office              = [[List of Chief Ministers of Himachal Pradesh|4th Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh]]&lt;br /&gt;
| image               = Virbhadra_Singh_HP.jpg&lt;br /&gt;
| caption             = Virbhadra Singh&lt;br /&gt;
| constituency        = [[Shimla Rural (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Shimla Rural]]&lt;br /&gt;
| predecessor         = [[Prem Kumar Dhumal]]&lt;br /&gt;
| successor           = [[Jai Ram Thakur]]&lt;br /&gt;
| signature           = Virbhadra_Singh_Signature.svg&lt;br /&gt;
| signature_alt       = Virbhadra_Singh_Signature.svg&lt;br /&gt;
| party               = [[Indian National Congress]]&lt;br /&gt;
| birth_date          = {{Birth date|df=yes|1934|6|23}}&lt;br /&gt;
| death_date          = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2021|07|08|1934|6|23}}&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;thehindu&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/former-himachal-pradesh-chief-minister-virbhadra-singh-passes-away/article35205306.ece|title=Former 6 times Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh passes away at 87|website=thehindu.com}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;TOIdeath&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{Cite news |title=Himachal ex-CM Virbhadra Singh passes away at 87 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/himachal-ex-cm-virbhadra-singh-passes-away-at-87/articleshow/84222536.cms |access-date=8 July 2021 |work=[[Times of India]] |date=8 July 2021}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
| birth_place         = [[Sarahan]], [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab]], [[British India]]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;{{small|(now in [[Himachal Pradesh]], India)}}&lt;br /&gt;
| death_place         = [[Shimla]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], India&lt;br /&gt;
| spouse              = {{plainlist|&lt;br /&gt;
*{{marriage|Ratna Kumari|1954|1983|end=d.}}&lt;br /&gt;
*{{marriage|[[Pratibha Singh]]|1986}}&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
| children            = 6&lt;br /&gt;
| residence           = {{plainlist|&lt;br /&gt;
*Padam Palace, [[Rampur Bushahr]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], India&lt;br /&gt;
*Holly Lodge, [[Shimla]]&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
| alma_mater          = [[Colonel Brown Cambridge School]]&amp;lt;br&amp;gt;[[St. Edward&amp;#039;s School, Shimla]]&amp;lt;br&amp;gt;[[Bishop Cotton School (Shimla)]]&amp;lt;br&amp;gt;[[St. Stephen&amp;#039;s College, Delhi]]&amp;lt;br&amp;gt;[[Delhi University]]&lt;br /&gt;
| religion            = &amp;lt;!--only enter if it is sourced, per WP:BLP--&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
| term_start          = 25 December 2012&lt;br /&gt;
| term_end            = 27 December 2017&lt;br /&gt;
| constituency2       = [[Rohru (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Rohru]]&lt;br /&gt;
| term_start2        = 6 March 2003&lt;br /&gt;
| term_end2           = 30 December 2007&lt;br /&gt;
| predecessor2        = [[Prem Kumar Dhumal]]&lt;br /&gt;
| successor2          = [[Prem Kumar Dhumal]]&lt;br /&gt;
| constituency3       = [[Rohru (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Rohru]]&lt;br /&gt;
| term_start3         = 3 December 1993&lt;br /&gt;
| term_end3           = 24 March 1998&lt;br /&gt;
| predecessor3        = [[Shanta Kumar]]&lt;br /&gt;
| successor3          = [[Prem Kumar Dhumal]]&lt;br /&gt;
| term_start4         = 8 April 1983&lt;br /&gt;
| term_end4           = 5 March 1990&lt;br /&gt;
| predecessor4        = [[Thakur Ram Lal]]&lt;br /&gt;
| successor4          = [[Shanta Kumar]]&lt;br /&gt;
| constituency4       = [[Rohru (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Rohru]]&lt;br /&gt;
| office5             = [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]], [[Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly]]&lt;br /&gt;
| constituency5       = [[Arki (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Arki]]&lt;br /&gt;
| term_start5         = 2017&lt;br /&gt;
| term_end5           = 8 July 2021&lt;br /&gt;
| predecessor5        = Govind Ram Sharma&lt;br /&gt;
| successor5          = [[Vacant]]&lt;br /&gt;
| office6             = [[Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (India)|Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises]]&lt;br /&gt;
| term_start6         = 19 January 2011&lt;br /&gt;
| term_end6           = 26 June 2012&lt;br /&gt;
| primeminister6      = [[Manmohan Singh]]&lt;br /&gt;
| predecessor6        = [[Dinsha Patel]]&lt;br /&gt;
| successor6          = [[Vilasrao Deshmukh]]&lt;br /&gt;
| office7             = [[Ministry of Steel (India)|Minister of Steel]]&lt;br /&gt;
| term_start7         = 28 May 2009&lt;br /&gt;
| primeminister7      = [[Manmohan Singh]]&lt;br /&gt;
| term_end7           = 18 January 2011&lt;br /&gt;
| predecessor7        = [[Ram Vilas Paswan]]&lt;br /&gt;
| successor7          = [[Beni Prasad Verma]]&lt;br /&gt;
| office8             = [[Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India)|Minister of State for Industries]]&lt;br /&gt;
| term_start8         = September 1982&lt;br /&gt;
| term_end8           = April 1983&lt;br /&gt;
| primeminister8      = [[Indira Gandhi]]&lt;br /&gt;
| predecessor8        = &lt;br /&gt;
| successor8          = &lt;br /&gt;
| office9             = [[Ministry of Tourism (India)|Minister of State for Tourism, Civil Aviation]]&lt;br /&gt;
| primeminister9      = [[Indira Gandhi]]&lt;br /&gt;
| term_start9         = December 1976&lt;br /&gt;
| term_end9           = March 1977&lt;br /&gt;
| predecessor9        = &lt;br /&gt;
| successor9          = &lt;br /&gt;
| module              = {{infobox royalty&lt;br /&gt;
| embed = yes&lt;br /&gt;
| succession          = Titular [[Bushahr#Rulers|Raja of Bushahr]]  &lt;br /&gt;
| reign               = 1947–2021&lt;br /&gt;
| predecessor         = Padam Singh&lt;br /&gt;
| successor           = [[Vikramaditya Singh (Himachal Pradesh politician)|Vikramaditya Singh]]&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;#039;Virbhadra Singh&amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;#039; (23 June 1934{{snd}}8 July 2021)&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Raja Virbhadra Singh&amp;#039;s Biography book&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{cite book|author=Girish Suri|title=Raja Virbhadra Singh: The Untold Story|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ca_cPgAACAAJ|year=2006|publisher=Atma Ram &amp;amp; Sons|location=Rampur Bushahr|isbn=978-81-902872-4-1}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; was an Indian politician who served 6 terms and 21 years as the [[List of Chief Ministers of Himachal Pradesh|4th Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh]].&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/virbhadra-singh|title=Virbhadra Singh|website=India Today}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; A leader of the [[Indian National Congress]] party, he was elected 9 times as an MLA and 5 times as member of the Lok Sabha. Virbhadra Singh was popularly known by the honorific &amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;#039;Raja Sahib&amp;#039;&amp;#039;&amp;#039;.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/arki-the-new-sanctuary-of-raja-sahib/article19940415.ece|title=Arki, the new sanctuary of &amp;#039;Raja Sahib&amp;#039;|first=Vikas|last=Pathak|newspaper=The Hindu|date=28 October 2017|via=www.thehindu.com}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{Cite web|date=8 July 2021|title=Raja Sahib who ruled hearts for 50 years loses last battle|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/raja-sahib-who-ruled-hearts-for-50-years-loses-last-battle-101625707463429.html|access-date=8 July 2021|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Singh holds the distinction of being the longest serving Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, holding the office from 1983 to 1990, from 1993 to 1998, from 2003 to 2007 and finally from 2012 to 2017, when he was succeeded by the [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]]&amp;#039;s [[Jai Ram Thakur]]. He was elected to the [[Lok Sabha]] in 1962, 1967, 1971, 1980 and 2009. Singh served as a Union Minister in the governments of [[Indira Gandhi]] and [[Manmohan Singh]]. At the time of his demise, he was serving as an [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]] from [[Arki (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Arki constituency]].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Personal life==&lt;br /&gt;
Virbhadra Singh was born on 23 June 1934 at [[Sarahan]], [[Shimla district]]&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;profile&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{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}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; in the royal [[Rajput]] family&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{Cite web|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/its-rajput-versus-rajput-in-himachal-polls.html|title=It&amp;#039;s Rajput versus Rajput in Himachal polls}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; of the erstwhile [[princely state]] of [[Bushahr]].&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{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 &amp;#039;Raja sahab&amp;#039;|date = 9 July 2021}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; He was the 122nd&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{Cite web|last=Service|first=Tribune News|title=Vikramaditya&amp;#039;s &amp;#039;raj tilak&amp;#039; before Raja&amp;#039;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}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; titular [[Bushahr#Rulers|Raja of Bushahr]] from 1947 until 1971, when, by the 26th Amendment to the [[Constitution of India]],  the [[Privy Purse in India|privy purse]]s of the princes were abolished and official recognition of their titles came to an end.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;[http://indiacode.nic.in/coiweb/amend/amend26.htm The 26th amendment of the Indian constitution]&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Singh was educated at [[Colonel Brown Cambridge School|Colonel Brown Cambridge School, Dehradun]], [[St. Edward&amp;#039;s School, Shimla]] and [[Bishop Cotton School, Shimla]] and later obtained a BA Honours degree from [[St. Stephen&amp;#039;s College, Delhi]].&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{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}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
He was married to Ratna Kumari, princess of [[Jubbal]] in May 1954.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{Cite web|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/writereaddata/biodata_1_12/1689.htm|title=Members Bioprofile|website=loksabhaph.nic.in}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{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|language=en}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; They had four daughters including [[Abhilasha Kumari]] a former judge who served on the [[High Court of Gujarat]] from 2006 to 2018.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{Cite web|last1=7 Feb|first1=tnn / Updated|last2=2018|last3=Ist|first3=07:16|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}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Ratna Kumari died in 1983 after prolonged sickness.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
In 1986, he was married for the second time, to [[Pratibha Singh]], princess of [[Keonthal]].&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;profile&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nic20120305&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{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}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Pratibha was elected twice to the [[Lok Sabha]] from [[Mandi (Lok Sabha constituency)|Mandi]], for first time in 2004 and later in a bypoll in 2013.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{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}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; They both had a daughter and a son. His daughter Aparajitha Singh is married to Punjab Chief Minister [[Amarinder Singh|Capt. Amarinder Singh&amp;#039;s]] grandson.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{Cite web|date=25 February 2021|title=Political circles in Punjab abuzz over Capt Amarinder Singh&amp;#039;s grand daughter&amp;#039;s wedding|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/political-circles-in-punjab-abuzz-over-capt-amarinder-singhs-grand-daughters-wedding-7203789/|access-date=9 July 2021|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; His son [[Vikramaditya Singh (Himachal Pradesh politician)|Vikramaditya Singh]] is currently serving as [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member of Legislative Assembly]] from [[Shimla Rural (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Shimla Rural constituency]].&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{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}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{Cite web|last=Service|first=Tribune News|title=Pictures: Virbhadra Singh cremated with full state honours; son Vikramaditya&amp;#039;s &amp;#039;raj tilak&amp;#039; 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}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==National politics==&lt;br /&gt;
Singh gained a seat in the Lok Sabha—which is the [[lower house]] of the [[Parliament of India]]—in the [[1962 Indian general election|Indian general elections of 1962]].&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;Virbhadra Singh Reference1&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{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}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; He repeated that success in the elections of [[1967 Indian general election|1967]] and [[1971 Indian general election|1971]]. He was again elected to the Lok Sabha in [[1980 Indian general election|1980]] and a further election to that house came in [[2009 Indian general election|2009]], following an absence from the intervening two Lok Sabhas.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nic20120305&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; His wife had served a term following her victory in the [[2004 Indian general election|2004 elections]].&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{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&amp;amp;nbsp;— Member of Parliament - 14th Lok Sabha |publisher=Parliament of India |access-date=5 March 2012}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
He was a member of the Indian Delegation to the [[General Assembly of the United Nations]] in 1976.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;profile&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Between 1976 and 1977, Singh held the national office of Deputy Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation in central cabinet. He was [[Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India)|Minister of State for Industries]] between 1980 and 1983.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nic20120305&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; From May 2009 until January 2011, he held the cabinet post of [[Ministry of Steel|Minister for Steel]]. He then became cabinet minister with responsibility for [[Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises]],&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nic20120305&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; until resigning from office in June 2012.&amp;lt;ref name=TOI20120626&amp;gt;{{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}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==State politics==&lt;br /&gt;
Aside from his role in national politics, Singh had also been elected on seven occasions to the [[Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly]].&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nic20120305&amp;quot; /&amp;gt; The first occasion was in a by-election in October 1983, when he was returned for the [[Jubbal-Kotkhai (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Jubbal-Kotkhai]] constituency. He won that seat again in the 1985 elections. Thereafter, he was elected from the [[Rohru (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Rohru]] constituency in 1990, 1993, 1998, 2003 and 2007 and in 2012 from [[Shimla Rural (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Shimla rural assembly constituency]].&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{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}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
[[File:J.B.L Khachi with other congress leaders welcoming Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.jpg|250px|left|thumb|From left to right: [[Rajiv Gandhi]], Virbhadra Singh, [[Sat Mahajan]] (in back), [[Jai Bihari Lal Khachi]] and Sagar Chand Nayyar during Rajiv Gandhi&amp;#039;s visit to [[Shimla]]]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nic20120305&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Between 1998 and 2003, Singh was Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nic20120305&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;  He was president of the [[Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee]] in 1977, 1979 and 1980 and from 26 August 2012 to December 2012.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{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}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; 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.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{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}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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Singh was appointed to lead the party on the eve of the November 2012 elections and did so with success.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{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}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; The party then agreed to him becoming Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh for a record sixth time.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{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}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; His party lost majority in the [[2017 Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|2017 elections]] and he tendered his resignation afterwards.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{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}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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==Social and cultural activities==&lt;br /&gt;
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]].&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;nic20120305&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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==Corruption charges==&lt;br /&gt;
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.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{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}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; 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]].&amp;lt;ref name=2circles20110407&amp;gt;{{cite news|title=Himachal government seeks cancellation of Virbhadra&amp;#039;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}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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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.&amp;lt;ref name=2circles20110407 /&amp;gt; This request followed attempts by two industrialists to remove themselves from the prosecution case, claiming that the evidence was forged and incorrect.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{Cite news|title=Key witness in steel minister&amp;#039;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}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{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}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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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.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{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}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; The couple were acquitted on the eve of Singh taking the role of Chief Minister in December 2012.&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;autogenerated1&amp;quot;&amp;gt;{{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}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
===CBI inquiry===&lt;br /&gt;
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.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{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}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{Cite web|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 &amp;amp;#124; India News - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; 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.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{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}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; 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.&amp;lt;ref name=DP50607&amp;gt;{{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&amp;#039;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}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==Death==&lt;br /&gt;
Singh&amp;#039;s health got deteriorated after he suffered from a [[cardiac arrest]] on 5 July 2021 in [[Indira Gandhi Medical College]], Shimla.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{Cite web|last1=An|last2=Jul 8|first2=Bodh / TNN / Updated|last3=2021|last4=Ist|first4=11:36|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}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; He had tested positive for [[COVID-19]] on 11 June for the second time in two months.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{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}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{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}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Virabhadra Singh died on 8 July 2021 due to [[multiple organ failure]].&amp;lt;ref name=&amp;quot;thehindu&amp;quot;/&amp;gt; The [[Government of Himachal Pradesh|Himachal Pradesh government]] observed a three-day state mourning as a mark of respect to him.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{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}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt; Virbhadra Singh was cremated with full state honours in Shimla&amp;#039;s [[Rampur Bushahr]] on 10 July 2021.&amp;lt;ref&amp;gt;{{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}}&amp;lt;/ref&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
==References==&lt;br /&gt;
{{reflist|30em}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{s-start}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{s-par|in-lwr}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{s-bef|before=Vacant}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;for [[Shimla (Lok Sabha constituency)|Shimla]] |years=1962–1967}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{s-aft|after=Partap Singh}}&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
{{s-bef|before=[[Lalit Sen]]}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;for [[Mandi (Lok Sabha constituency)|Mandi]] |years=1971–1977}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{s-aft|after=Ganga Singh}}&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
{{s-bef|before=Ganga Singh}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;for [[Mandi (Lok Sabha constituency)|Mandi]] |years=1980–1984}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{s-aft|after=[[Sukh Ram]]}}&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
{{s-bef|before=[[Pratibha Singh]]}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;for [[Mandi (Lok Sabha constituency)|Mandi]] |years=2009–2013}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{s-aft|after=[[Pratibha Singh]]}}&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
{{s-off}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{succession box&lt;br /&gt;
| before = |&lt;br /&gt;
  title= [[Ministry of Tourism (India)|Minister of State for Tourism, Civil Aviation]]|&lt;br /&gt;
  years= December 1976 – March 1977|&lt;br /&gt;
  after=&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{succession box&lt;br /&gt;
| before =  |&lt;br /&gt;
| title  = Minister of State for Industries |&lt;br /&gt;
| years  = September 1982&amp;amp;nbsp;– April 1983 |&lt;br /&gt;
| after  =  |&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{succession box&lt;br /&gt;
| before = [[Thakur Ram Lal]]&lt;br /&gt;
| title  = [[List of Chief Ministers of Himachal Pradesh|Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh]]&lt;br /&gt;
| years  = 8 April 1983&amp;amp;nbsp;– 5 March 1990&lt;br /&gt;
| after  = [[Shanta Kumar]]&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{succession box&lt;br /&gt;
| before = [[Shanta Kumar]]&lt;br /&gt;
| title  = [[List of Chief Ministers of Himachal Pradesh|Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh]]&lt;br /&gt;
| years  = 3 December 1993&amp;amp;nbsp;– 24 March 1998&lt;br /&gt;
| after  = [[Prem Kumar Dhumal]]&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{succession box&lt;br /&gt;
| before = [[Prem Kumar Dhumal]]&lt;br /&gt;
| title  = [[List of Chief Ministers of Himachal Pradesh|Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh]]&lt;br /&gt;
| years  = 6 March 2003&amp;amp;nbsp;– 30 December 2007&lt;br /&gt;
| after  = [[Prem Kumar Dhumal]]&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{succession box&lt;br /&gt;
| before = [[Ram Vilas Paswan]]&lt;br /&gt;
| title  = [[Ministry of Steel (India)|Minister of Steel]]&lt;br /&gt;
| years  = 28 May 2009&amp;amp;nbsp;– 18 January 2011&lt;br /&gt;
| after  = [[Beni Prasad Verma]]&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{succession box&lt;br /&gt;
| before = [[Dinsha Patel]]&lt;br /&gt;
| title  = [[Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises|Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises]]&lt;br /&gt;
| years  = 19 January 2011&amp;amp;nbsp;– 26 June 2012&lt;br /&gt;
| after  = [[Vilasrao Deshmukh]]&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{succession box&lt;br /&gt;
| before = [[Prem Kumar Dhumal]]&lt;br /&gt;
| title  = [[List of Chief Ministers of Himachal Pradesh|Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh]]&lt;br /&gt;
| years  = 25 December 2012&amp;amp;nbsp;– 27 December 2017&lt;br /&gt;
| after  = [[Jai Ram Thakur]]&lt;br /&gt;
}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{s-end}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{Current Indian chief ministers}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{Chief Ministers of Himachal Pradesh}}&lt;br /&gt;
{{Authority control}}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Virbhadra}}&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:1934 births]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:2021 deaths]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:3rd Lok Sabha members]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:4th Lok Sabha members]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:5th Lok Sabha members]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:7th Lok Sabha members]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:15th Lok Sabha members]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Chief ministers from Indian National Congress]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Chief Ministers of Himachal Pradesh]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in India]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Himachal Pradesh MLAs 2007–2012]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Himachal Pradesh MLAs 2012–2017]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Himachal Pradesh MLAs 2017–2022]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Indian National Congress politicians]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Himachal Pradesh]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Members of the Cabinet of India]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:People from Shimla district]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:St. Stephen&amp;#039;s College, Delhi alumni]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:State funerals in India]]&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Steel Ministers of India]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>imported&gt;BattyBot</name></author>
	</entry>
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