Sonia Gandhi’s SPG commando to Virbhadra loyalist: four-time Congress MLA’s long arc

Nand Lal, a senior Congress leader and four-time MLA from Himachal Pradesh's Rampur constituency, breathed his last at the age of 72 following a prolonged illness. He passed away at Atal Super Speciality Hospital in Shimla. Nand Lal's demise has led to the dip in the ruling Congress tally in the 68-member Himachal Pradesh Assembly, reducing it to 39.

Prior to his death, the Congress leader had an illustrious career. Hailing from Devthi village in Rampur Bushahr, Nand Lal completed his post-graduation in political science from Himachal Pradesh University and joined the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) in 1980. He later served in the elite Special Protection Group (SPG), which was responsible for ensuring the security of the Prime Minister and ex-PMs.

As an SPG commando, Nand Lal also served as the security detail for Sonia Gandhi. He was recognized for his services by former PMs Rajiv Gandhi and Chandra Shekhar, who awarded him commendation certificates. Nand Lal voluntarily retired from ITBP in 2007 to join the Congress. He won the Rampur seat in the 2007, 2012, and 2017 elections, becoming a Congress leader in the state.

In 2013, during Virbhadra Singh's tenure as CM, Nand Lal was appointed as the Chief Parliamentary Secretary and served on various committees. His political standing was closely tied to his association with Virbhadra, who belonged to the Congress high command in Delhi. Nand Lal's elevation as the Seventh State Finance Commission chairman in March 2024 was seen as a move to reach out to detractors within the party.