Former Himachal Pradesh chief minister and senior Congress leader Virbhadra Singh died here early on Thursday after a prolonged illness. He was 87.

The veteran leader breathed his last at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) here at 3.40am, its senior medical superintendent Dr Janak Raj said.

Virbhadra had suffered a heart attack on Monday and was in the critical care unit of IGMC. He had been put on ventilator on Wednesday.

A nine-time MLA and five-time MP, Virbhadra served as Himachal Pradesh’s chief minister for six times.

He had tested positive for Covid-19 on June 11 for the second time in two months.

Virbhadra’s wife Pratibha and their son Vikramaditya Singh are also politicians. Pratibha is former MP while Vikramaditya is an MLA from Shimla Rural.Virbhadra was also the leader of Opposition from March 1998 to March 2003.

The veteran Congress leader had served as Union deputy minister, tourism and civil aviation, minister of state for industries, Union minister for steel and Union minister for micro, small & medium enterprises (MSME). He also served as Himachal Pradesh Congress president.

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi said: “Popular for his affable and grounded nature, he remained close to

people and brought about far-reaching positive changes through his administrative acumen.”