Shimla: Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, the indomitable Raja of an erstwhile princely state, is back in the saddle for a record fifth time in two decades and has always emerged victorious under trying circumstances.

The 69-year political heavyweight of Himachal with a career spanning over four decades entered electoral politics as a member of Lok Sabha in 1962. He was elected to Lok Sabha in subsequent elections in 1967, 1972 and 1980 and became Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh in April 1983.

He was again sworn in as Chief Minister on March 5, 1985 after he led Congress to power with a thumping majority in the mid-term Assembly polls. Singh was the Raja of the Rampur Bushair state.

The Congress party regained power in 1993 Assembly elections with massive majority and Singh was once again sworn in as Chief Minister.

Singh had been a Chief Minister in all for 11 years in four spells with the last stint lasting just 18 days when he failed to win a confidence vote in 1998.

PTI