‘Ignored in need’: Priyanka Gandhi slams Centre over Himachal disaster relief

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday accused the Union government of neglecting disaster-hit Himachal Pradesh, claiming that Congress-ruled states were being ignored. Her remarks came during a rally following the unveiling of a statue of six-time Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh by senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi at Shimla’s historic Ridge Ground.

"Since Sukhvinder Sukhu became Chief Minister, heavy rains have battered Himachal, but despite repeated requests, the Union government did not provide adequate assistance," Priyanka said, alleging that the BJP’s focus was only on winning elections rather than supporting states in need.

Himachal Pradesh witnessed 47 cloudbursts, 98 flash floods, and 148 major landslides from June to September this year alone, resulting in 270 deaths and losses estimated at Rs 5,426 crore. The state has suffered similar devastation in the past two years, with damage running into thousands of crores, according to local authorities.

Paying tribute to the late leader, Priyanka and Sonia Gandhi inaugurated the six-foot-tall bronze statue of Virbhadra Singh at Daulat Singh Park, alongside statues of iconic leaders like YS Parmar, Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Addressing the gathering, Priyanka said, "We need leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, and Virbhadra Singh, who followed honesty, truth, and dedicated their lives to people’s development. Rahul Gandhi continues this legacy fearlessly, raising issues that matter to the people."

She emphasized the need to go beyond "social media and PR" to genuinely serve citizens, recalling the public’s appreciation of Virbhadra Singh’s simple, people-oriented approach. "Chief Minister Sukhu is carrying forward this tradition, staying connected with the people and their needs," she added.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu lauded Virbhadra Singh as the “leader of roads, electricity, and development,” noting that he even opened schools for a single student if needed. Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri thanked Sonia and Priyanka Gandhi for attending the rally, highlighting the late CM’s emotional bond with the people.

Virbhadra Singh, a scion of the Rampur-Bushahr royal family, first became Himachal Pradesh’s chief minister in 1983 and served six terms before his death in 2021. His wife, Pratibha Singh, is the state Congress chief, while his son, Vikramaditya Singh, serves as the Public Works Minister. Both addressed the gathering, expressing gratitude to the public for their support.

The statue, commissioned by the Raja Virbhadra Singh Foundation and crafted by renowned sculptors Ram V Sutar and Anil Ram Sutar at a cost of Rs 40 lakh, was originally planned for Singh’s birth anniversary in June but was delayed. Security for the event was heightened, with around 400 police personnel deployed and the city divided into five sectors, while traffic for heavy and utility vehicles was suspended until 3 pm.

Prominent Congress leaders including Sachin Pilot, Deepender Hooda, Rajni Patil, Rajiv Shukla, and several state ministers attended the event, turning it into a large public gathering that celebrated both the legacy of Virbhadra Singh and the Congress’s ongoing commitment to the people of Himachal Pradesh.