New Delhi, Jul 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today mourned the demise of former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh and said that he played a pivotal role in the state and served its people.

Taking to Twitter, he said, “Shri Virbhadra Singh Ji had a long political career, with rich administrative and legislative experience. He played a pivotal role in Himachal Pradesh and served the people of the state. Saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti.”

Singh had been battling a prolonged illness. Reportedly, he breathed his last at the Indira Gandhi Medical College Hospital in Shimla due to multi-organ failure around 0400 hrs today.

A nine-time MLA and five-time member of Parliament, he was Himachal Pradesh’s chief minister for six terms – from April 8, 1983, to March 5, 1990, December 3, 1993, to March 23, 1998, and from March 6, 2003, to December 29, 2007, and for the sixth time from December 25, 2012, to December 26, 2017. (UNI)