Bharat Jodo Yatra Halted For A Day, Rahul Gandhi Postpones Presser After Congress MP's Death

After the sudden demise of Congress MP from Jalandhar, the Bharat Jodo Yatra has been suspended for 24 hours and Rahul Gandhi's press conference has also been postponed.

New Delhi: The Bharat Jodo Yatra was halted for a day after the sudden demise of Santokh Singh Chaudhary, the Congress MP from Jalandhar. Rahul Gandhi's press conference in Jalandhar scheduled for Sunday has also been postponed. 

Expressing his condolences, Rahul Gandhi tweeted in Hindi, "Shocked by the sudden demise of Shri Santokh Singh Chowdhary. He was a down to earth hardworking leader, a pious person and a strong pillar of the Congress family, who dedicated his life to public service from Youth Congress to Member of Parliament. I express my condolences to the bereaved family."

Santokh Singh Chaudhary died due to a cardiac arrest, he was walking alongside Rahul Gandhi during the Bharat Jodo Yatra on Saturday, when he suddenly collapsed after suffering a heart attack. He was 77. 

Chaudhary was rushed to a hospital in Phagwara, where he was declared brought dead. Later, his body was shifted to his residence.

"Bharat Jodo Yatra will be suspended for 24 hours as a mark of respect for Santokh Singh Choudhary, Congress MP from Jalandhar who passed away this morning. The Yatra will resume tomorrow afternoon from Khalsa College Ground, Jalandhar," AICC general secretary Jairam Ramesh said on Twitter.

"Due to the unexpected and shocking demise of Santokh Singh Chaudhary, Congress MP from Jalandhar, the press conference of Rahul Gandhi originally scheduled in Jalandhar tomorrow will now be held on 17th January in Hoshiarpur," he informed in another tweet.

Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said the last rites of the Jalandhar MP will be performed on Sunday and the yatra will remain suspended till then, new agency ANI reported.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge expressed shock over the sudden demise of Santokh Singh.

"Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the untimely passing away of our MP, Santokh Singh Chaudhary. His loss is a great blow to the party and organisation. In this hour of grief, my heart goes out to his family, friends and followers. May his soul rest in peace," tweeted Kharge.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also expressed grief writing, "I am deeply saddened by the untimely death of Congress Member of Parliament from Jalandhar, Santokh Singh Chaudhary. May God rest his soul in peace."