States » NorthPosted at: Oct 7 2026 6:05PM


Pratibha Singh urges EC to bar political parties using Virbhadra Singh’s name

Shimla, October 7 (UNI) Former Himachal Pradesh MP Pratibha Singh has urged the Election Commission of India not to register any new political party using the name of her late husband and former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh or names closely associated with his identity and legacy.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner on Wednesday, Pratibha Singh said Virbhadra Singh, who served as Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister six times and also held the position of union Minister, continued to command respect and influence among people in the state.
She said she had learnt that some persons were attempting to form new political parties using names such as “Rashtrawadi Virbhadra Congress” and “Vir Congress”, allegedly with the intention of misleading people by using the name and reputation of the former Chief Minister.
Pratibha Singh also raised concerns over attempts to use terms such as “Raja”, “Bushahr” or “Raja Bushahr” for political parties, saying these were directly associated with Virbhadra Singh, who belonged to the erstwhile Bushahr royal family.
She clarified that she did not object to anyone exercising the right to form a political party, but said the use of her late husband's name, reputation and legacy for such purposes was not acceptable.
She further stated that neither she nor any member of the Virbhadra Singh family had given permission for the use of his name or identity for the formation of any political organisation.
Pratibha Singh requested the Election Commission to take appropriate action and not grant registration or approval to any political party proposed under the names mentioned in her letter, or under any similar name that, according to her, sought to misuse or exploit the name of Virbhadra Singh, either now or in the future.
She also requested the Commission to provide her an opportunity to present her views before taking any decision on any such application.
The appeal comes ahead of the 2027 Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, with the political legacy and name of the former Chief Minister remaining a significant part of the state's political discourse.
UNI BN
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