Former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal Passes Away, PM Modi Mourns SAD Patriarch's Demise
Shiromani Akali Dal patriarch Parkash Singh Badal passed away on Tuesday at the age of 95.
Shiromani Akali Dal patriarch Parkash Singh Badal passed away at 8.30 pm on Tuesday. He was 95. The former Punjab CM was admitted to the ICU of Fortis Hospital in Mohali on Sunday, after complaining of difficulty in breathing.
Badal, a five-time Punjab CM, was hospitalised in June last year following a complaint of gastritis and bronchial asthma.
In February 2022, he was taken to a private hospital in Mohali for a post-Covid health check-up during which he had undergone cardiac and pulmonary check-ups too. He was admitted to a hospital in Ludhiana after testing positive for Covid-19 in January 2022. The SAD patriarch had been advised by doctors to opt for regular precautionary check-ups, especially after contracting Covid-19.
Expressing his condolences, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted: "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 towards 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. My heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family and supporters. Om Shanti," he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, grieved the former Punjab CM's death. "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," he said.
Born on December 8, 1927, in Punjab's Abul Khurana village, Badal had been active in Indian politics for over five decades. He was the Chief Minister of Punjab for five times. His political career had been marked by his commitment to the welfare of the people of his state.
Badal first became a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in 1957 and was the youngest legislator in the Punjab Assembly at the age of 29. He was first appointed as Chief Minister of Punjab in 1970, and his term focused on the development of rural areas in the state. He was again elected as the Chief Minister of Punjab in 1977, after a period of Emergency, and his term focused on strengthening the cooperative movement in Punjab.
In 1997, Badal was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Punjab for the third time and continued to work towards the development of the state. His fourth term as the Chief Minister of Punjab was from 2007 to 2012, which saw him overseeing the development of cities in the state while maintaining a focus on rural development. Badal's fifth term as the Chief Minister of Punjab was from 2012 to 2017.
Badal played a vital role in bridging gaps between different communities, and his contribution towards the growth of agriculture and rural development in Punjab is widely acknowledged.
Badal had been honoured with several awards throughout his career, including the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award in India, in 2015. His legacy has left a significant impact on the development of Punjab as an essential region in India.
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