On Tuesday, Pratibha Singh addressed the Chief Election Commissioner with an 11-page letter. She listed two nascent outfits—Rashtrawadi Virbhadra Congress and Veer Congress—arguing that their titles exploit her late husband's legacy. She also warned against parties using the monikers ‘Raja’, ‘Bushahr’ or ‘Raja Bushahr’, which she said are inextricably linked to Virbhadra Singh’s public persona.
Yudhvir Singh Bains, a senior Congress leader from Mandi, has been lobbying for a new platform that would tap the former chief minister’s brand. Bains, who has publicly criticized Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s leadership, claims the Virbhadra banner could secure loyalty among voters loyal to the late chief minister. He has presented his proposal to the state Congress committee but has not yet secured the party’s central endorsement.
The dispute underscores internal fractures within Himachal Congress, which has been split over leadership appointments and candidate selection. If the parties gain registration, they could siphon votes from the mainstream Congress and contribute to a fractured vote share in the 2027 assembly poll. Election experts warn that such a split could benefit the rival Bharatiya Janata Party.
The Election Commission has set a deadline of November 15 to issue a ruling. Pratibha Singh has requested a hearing before any decision is taken, citing the family’s lack of consent. The outcome will determine whether the Virbhadra name can be used in Himachal Pradesh politics and could shape the party dynamics ahead of the elections.