Virbhadra Singh lives in people’s hearts, not on posters: Vikramaditya

Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department Minister Vikramaditya Singh has opposed efforts to form a political party in the name of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, described actor and MP Kangana Ranaut’s remarks about the state as unfortunate and announced plans for rural road development.

On the controversy over the late leader’s photograph being omitted from posters and hoardings, Vikramaditya said Virbhadra Singh’s place in people’s hearts mattered more than his presence on promotional material.

Describing his father as a towering leader who had contributed significantly to HP, he said a leader’s stature was determined by his work, not by photographs on posters. He also cited the contributions of Dr YS Parmar and Thakur Ram Lal to the state’s development.

On reports of a proposed political party bearing Virbhadra Singh’s name, the minister said everyone had the democratic right to form a party, but opposed what he described as the misuse of the late leader’s name. He said Virbhadra Singh had devoted his life to strengthening the Congress and that he would oppose any attempt to form a party in his name.

Vikramaditya also termed Kangana Ranaut’s remarks about HP unfortunate. He said the state was an integral part of India and had established its identity in education, per capita income and development. Political differences, he said, should not lead anyone to belittle their own state.

On infrastructure, the minister said 340 roads spanning 1,659 km, estimated to cost around Rs 3,000 crore, were expected to receive approval under the second phase of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-4). He said he had discussed the proposals with Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and expected approval in October-November, with construction targeted to begin in January.

Approval for 23 bridges costing Rs 128 crore was also expected soon, he added.

The minister said a Rs 800 crore annual road maintenance plan was being pursued, targeting maintenance of 800 km of roads. He said bitumen shortages had affected work and that he would meet Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri over the issue.

He also appealed to residents to provide gift deeds for land required for road construction and cooperate in obtaining Forest Rights Act and Forest Conservation Act clearances.