Former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal passed away on Tuesday evening at a private hospital in Mohali. He was 95 years old.
The five-time chief minister was admitted to the hospital a few days back after he complained of breathlessness.
Badal is survived by his son and Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal and daughter Preneet Kaur, who is married to former cabinet minister Adesh Pratap Singh Kairon.
The Akali Dal patriarch was the oldest candidate to contest the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections. However, he lost to AAP’s first-timer Gurmeet Singh Khudian.
Meanwhile, the Center has announced a two-day state mourning on April 26-27 as a mark of respect to Badal. Under this, the flags in all government buildings will be half-tilted.
Badal’s political journey of 75 years
Badal was the youngest sarpanch when he was elected from Badal village in 1952. He became the youngest CM of Punjab in 1970 and then the oldest CM in 2012. He also holds the record of becoming CM five times till 1970-71, 1977-80, 1997-2002, 2007-12 and 2012-17.
He was a Lok Sabha MP and briefly served as Union Agriculture Minister.
In his political journey of 75 years, Badal lost only two assembly elections. First, in 1967 to Harcharan Singh Brar from Gidderbaha by just 57 votes and then in 2022 to Gurmet Singh Khudian from Lambi in a constituency he nurtured.
He won the first assembly election before the reorganization of the state in 1957 from Malot on a Congress ticket. He won five consecutive assembly elections from Gidderbaha in 1969, 1972, 1977, 1980 and 1985.
Badal did not contest two assembly elections in his political career – once in 1962 and in 1992 when the Akali Dal boycotted it.
He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2015, which he returned in 2020 in protest against the agricultural laws. He was also awarded the Path Ratan Faqr-e-Qoum (Jewel of the community’s cult pride) in 2011.
People who knew him closely said he preferred not to carry a cell phone and knew at least one person from every household in his constituency.
condolences pour in
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Condolences on Badal’s demise. He wrote, “Extremely saddened by the demise of Shri Prakash Singh Badal ji. He was a towering figure of Indian politics, and a remarkable statesman who contributed greatly to our country. He worked tirelessly for the progress of Punjab and supported the state in difficult times.”
Deeply saddened by the demise of Shri Prakash Singh Badal ji. He was a towering figure of Indian politics, and a remarkable statesman who contributed greatly to our country. He worked tirelessly for the progress of Punjab and supported the state in difficult times. pic.twitter.com/scx2K7KMCq— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 25, 2023
President Draupadi Murmu tweeted, “Shri Parkash Singh Badal was one of the tallest political stalwarts since independence. Although his exemplary career in public service was largely confined to Punjab, he was respected across the country. His demise leaves a void. My heartfelt condolences to his family and fans.”
Expressing condolences, Union Home Minister Amit Shah wrote, “Demise of veteran leader Shri Prakash Singh Badal Sahab is extremely sad. His career of several decades was devoted to the welfare of the poor. His death is an irreparable loss to Indian politics. My thoughts are with his family and supporters.”
The demise of senior leader Shri Prakash Singh Badal Saheb is very sad. His career of several decades was devoted to the welfare of the poor. His death is an irreparable loss to Indian politics. My thoughts are with his family and supporters. pic.twitter.com/yF7HX2EpkG— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 25, 2023
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh also condoled Badal’s death on Twitter.
Praising the veteran politician, Singh said, “Shri Parkash Singh Badal ji was a political stalwart who played an important role in Punjab politics for many decades. In his long political and administrative career, he made many notable contributions towards the welfare of farmers and other weaker sections of our society.”
Shri Parkash Singh Badal ji was a political stalwart who played an important role in the politics of Punjab for several decades. In his long political and administrative career, he made many notable contributions towards the welfare of farmers and our other weaker sections…- Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) April 25, 2023
In his condolence message, former Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh said that he shares the family’s grief over this irreparable loss. He said that it is a loss not only for the family but for the entire state and the entire country.
Deeply saddened by the demise of Prakash Singh Badal. my deepest sympathies to @officeofssbadal and the whole family. Badal Saheb was respected by everyone rising above the party line. May Waheguru ji give peace to the departed soul.
– Captain Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) April 25, 2023
Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Pratap Singh Bajwa wrote, “Saddened to hear about the demise of Akali Dal stalwart Parkash Singh Badal ji. My heartfelt condolences to @Officeofssbadal, @HarsimratBadal_ May the departed soul rest in peace. It will be difficult to fill his void in Punjab politics.”
NCP chief Sharad Pawar tweeted, “Deeply saddened to know about the passing away of Shiromani Akali Dal patron and former Chief Minister of Punjab, Shri Parkash Singh Badal ji. He was an old friend, colleague, determined leader and able administrator who worked for the welfare of all the farmers of India. My heartfelt condolences to Sukhbir, family members and Shiromani Akali Dal family. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
read all latest politics news Here