“Have capability to fight and accept every challenge…will bring new identity to Mandi constituency”
Following the formidable political footprints left by his parents – Himachal Pradesh’s former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and his MP wife Pratibha Singh, Vikramaditya Singh is poised to inherit the political legacy in Mandi — a constituency deeply entrenched in the state’s royal family’s history.
In past electoral contests, his father ‘Raja ji’ secured victories, while his mother had once faced a setback. Virbhadra Singh, a stalwart who served as the Chief Minister for six terms, charted his political trajectory from the Mandi parliamentary seat, even holding ministerial positions in Dr Manmohan Singh’s administration. Currently, Pratibha is representing the significant seat.
Set to contest from the family’s bastion, Vikramaditya on Sunday said that he never get intimidated by challenges and he has the capability to fight and accept every challenge. In Rampur, Vikramaditya also expressed his gratitude to Congress’ top leadership for nominating him from Mandi, where he will be facing a tough challenge from the Bollywood actress and BJP candidate Kangna Ranaut.
“I have overcome every challenge with the blessings of the deities. With truth and honesty, I believe in serving the people of the State. I want to assure the people of Mandi that, just like I have worked for the development of rural Shimla as its legislator, I will bring a new identity to the Mandi Lok Sabha constituency,” said Vikramaditya, a day after his name was announced by the Congress.
Vikramaditya, who is also a Cabinet Minister in Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu Government, emphasized that he would present a new model of development for the country and raise the voice of his region strongly in the Parliament. “My father Virbhadra Singh, and mother Pratibha Singh, have been Members of Parliament from Mandi. They have laid the foundation of development in this area, and I will carry it forward,” he added.
Asserting his commitment to holistic development in Himachal Pradesh, Vikramaditya highlighted that he aimed to present his entire vision document to the people of Mandi in the coming days. He underscored that the elections are not about individual personalities but about issues affecting the region. “It is not about specific individuals…It is about contesting on issues,” he remarked.
Vikramaditya’s candidature from Mandi, one of the key constituencies in Himachal Pradesh, has generated significant interest among political observers. As the son of veteran politician Virbhadra Singh, he carries forward the political legacy of his family while aiming to carve his own path in state politics.
The connection of Virbhadra Singh family with Mandi parliamentary constituency dates back 57 years. In 1971, Virbhadra Singh contested his first Lok Sabha election from here and secured a record 71.95 per cent of the votes. His opponent Mandhar Lal received only 16.14 per cent of the votes. However, in 1977 elections, he had to face defeat amidst the wave of the Janata Party. In 1980, Virbhadra Singh was elected as the Member of Parliament for the second time from here.
After a gap of 18 years, his wife Pratibha Singh contested the elections from Mandi in 1998. She faced Maheshwar Singh of the BJP, her close relative, in a fiercely contested battle. Unfortunately, Pratibha had to taste defeat. She contested again in 2004, and this time, retaliating against her previous loss, she emerged victorious against Maheshwar Singh, securing her position as a Member of Parliament for the first time.
In 2009, the baton was passed to her husband, Virbhadra Singh, who contested from Mandi. He won against his opponents, marking his third term as an MP from the constituency.
After assuming the role of Chief Minister, Virbhadra resigned as a Member of Parliament in 2012. In the subsequent by-elections, Pratibha Singh contested for the third time from Mandi. She defeated the then opposition leader Jairam Thakur, and became an MP for the second time. However, in the 2014 elections, she faced defeat against Ramswaroop Sharma of the BJP.
In November 2021, Pratibha Singh contested again in a by-election. This marked her fifth electoral battle. Despite the shifting political dynamics, she emerged victorious for the third time. Virbhadra and Pratibha Singh contested a total of nine elections in this parliamentary constituency, securing victory six times.
Now, Vikramaditya Singh, following the footsteps of his parents, is all set to embark on his political journey from the Mandi parliamentary constituency, which spans across 17 assembly segments in six districts of the state.
