Five-time Punjab chief minister Prakash Singh Badal passes away

Punjab: Parkash Singh Badal, a five-time former chief minister of Punjab, died at the age of 95. The Akali Dal leader was admitted to a private hospital last Tuesday.

Personal Assistant of his son and party president Sukhbir Singh Badal confirmed the news. Hospital Director Abhijeet Singh also told PTI that he passed away at around 8 pm.

He was hospitalised after complaining of uneasiness while breathing.

Badal started his political career as a village sarpanch and contested assembly elections for the first time in 1957 at the age of 30. After 13 years, he became the youngest CM in Punjab. In 70 years, he only lost two elections - one in 1967 and another in 2022. He was awarded Padma Vibhushan in 2015 but he returned in protest of the government's treatment of protesting farmers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to the veteran politician and tweeted, "Extremely saddened by the passing away of Shri Parkash Singh Badal Ji. He was a colossal figure of Indian politics, and a remarkable statesman who contributed greatly to our nation. He worked tirelessly for the progress of Punjab and anchored the state through critical times."

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh wrote, "Shri Prakash Singh Badal ji was a political stalwart who played a significant role in Punjab politics for many decades. In his long political and administrative career, he made several noteworthy contributions toward the welfare of farmers and other weaker sections of our society. Badal Sahab was the son of soil who remained connected to his roots, all his life. I fondly remember my interactions with him on several issues. I’m deeply anguished by his demise. His demise is a personal loss to me."