Former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal Dies At 95

Parkash Singh Badal, a five-time former chief minister of Punjab and Akali Dal patriarch, died at a private hospital in Mohali on Tuesday. He was 95.

The death was confirmed by the Personal Assistant of his son and party president Sukhbir Singh Badal.

"Mr Badal passed away at around 8 pm," hospital Director Abhijeet Singh was quoted saying by news agency PTI.

The former chief minister was admitted to Fortis Hospital in Mohali a week ago after he complained of uneasiness while breathing.

The leader climbed his way up the political ladder, serving as a village sarpanch, before he contested assembly elections for the first time in 1957, when was 30 years old.

Parkash Singh Badal was the youngest Chief Minister to ever hold office in the state of Punjab. He was 43.

In a career spanning over seven decades, he lost only two elections - one in 1967, and the latest in the 2022 Punjab assembly election. The loss in Punjab was particularly acute as he lost his stronghold Lambi, which he fronted for several decades.

Parkash Singh Badal returned his Padma Vibhushan award - the second highest civilian honour of the country that he received from the government in 2015 - in protest against the treatment of the protesting farmers by the Central government. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes to the Punjab leader, calling him a "colossal figure of Indian politics, and a remarkable statesman". 

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. pic.twitter.com/scx2K7KMCq — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 25, 2023

"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," tweeted PM Modi, along with a picture of himself with the veteran leader.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh termed the veteran leader's death a "personal loss".  

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… — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) April 25, 2023

Parkash Singh Badal was born in Punjab's Abul Khurana close to the Rajasthan border and studied at Lahore's Forman Christian College.