SHIMLA, July 9: Veteran Congress leader Virbhadra Singh, who was Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh six times, died at the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) hospital here on Thursday at the age of 87 due to post-covid complications.

The State Government has declared 3-day mourning as a mark of respect to the former Chief Minister. His body was kept at his residence in Holly Lodge in Lower Jakhu here for the public to pay their last respects. The cremation will take place in Rampur, his native place, on Saturday.

A sitting MLA from Arki in Solan district, Virbhadra Singh belonged to the erstwhile royal family of Bushahr. He enjoyed massive popular support. He had won nine Assembly and five Lok Sabha elections. Four times State Congress president, he had also served in Indira Gandhi's Cabinet. He made the green Kinnauri cap his trademark.

Virbhadra Singh tested positive for covid on April 12 and was treated at Max hospital, Mohali. He had a second infection and was admitted to IGMC here later for treatment of long covid. On July 5 he was put on ventilator.

Party president Sonia Gandhi said, Virbhadra Singh was "popular for his affable and grounded nature."