Journalism of Courage
Pratibha Singh, the Member of Parliament from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, embodies a complex story of political lineage, personal loss, and the ongoing pursuit of influence. As the widow of the six-time Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, her political journey is intertwined with his legacy and the challenges of carving her own path. Currently, she is also the president of the HP Congress Committee (HPCC).
Born in 1956, Pratibha Singh hails from the Keonthal royal family, adding an element of dynastic influence to her political background. She married Virbhadra Singh in 1985, entering a world deeply rooted in Himachal's political landscape. While she remained largely outside the public sphere during her husband's career, her support and influence within the family were undeniable.
Pratibha was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 2004 from the Mandi constituency, which was also represented by Virbhadra earlier. She defeated the BJP’s Jairam Thakur from the same seat in the 2013 poll, which was vacated after Virbhadra took charge as the CM. She again won from Mandi in a by-poll in 2021 after the seat was vacated following the death of the sitting BJP MP Ram Swaroop Sharma.
However, before 2024, she announced that she would not contest the Lok Sabha elections.
