On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the party office of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in Chandigarh to pay his respects to the late chief minister of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 95. Badal had been hospitalized in Mohali a week prior to his passing.
In a tweet expressing his condolences, PM Modi called Badal’s passing a personal loss and spoke of his decades-long interaction with the SAD leader, whom he described as a remarkable statesman and a great contributor to the progress of Punjab and India as a whole. The Centre has declared a two-day state mourning period across India to honor Badal’s legacy, during which the national flag will be flown at half-mast on all public buildings.
#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi pays last respects to Shiromani Akali Dal patron Parkash Singh Badal in Chandigarh pic.twitter.com/gIrJYHHt6h
— ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2023
Badal, who served as Punjab’s chief minister five times, began his political career as a village sarpanch and first contested assembly elections in 1957. His party recently severed ties with the BJP due to the farmers’ protests in 2020, and he returned his Padma Vibhushan award in protest against the government’s treatment of the protesters.
Badal was admitted to Fortis Hospital in Mohali after experiencing breathing difficulties, and despite medical treatment, he passed away. The hospital released a statement expressing their condolences.
You might also like
Final Thoughts
The passing of Parkash Singh Badal marks the end of an era in Punjab politics. His contributions to the state and the country will always be remembered, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations of politicians to come.
Source: Hindustan Times
