It was his indomitable spirit and endurance that saw the Congress stalwart remain a Union minister and dominate the political spectrum of Himachal for almost six decades. He became an MP at the age of 28 in 1962 and chief minister for the first time in 1983, to repeat the feat on six occasions.
Even in his last days, in hospital, the “Raja”, as he was referred to, exhibited the same fighting spirit which remained the hallmark of his entire political career. However, it was after a three-month-long battle, including his successful fight against corona twice, that he finally breathed his last here on Thursday.