Punjab, Haryana condole Surjit's death

Chandigarh, Aug 1 (UNI)) Chief Ministers of Punjab and Haryana, their cabinet colleagues and other prominent leaders expressed profound grief over the sad demise of Communist Leader Harkishan Singh Surjit after a prolonged illness today.

The Punjab, Haryana units of CPI and CPM held condolence meetings and dipped party flags at their respective headquarters as a mark of respect and hailed the departed party leader and freedom fighter, who had fought relentlessly for nearly seven decades for the uplift of working masses and peasantry.

The Left parties in Himachal Pradesh also condoled the death of ''the pioneer of Communist movement in India''.

In his condolence message, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, described Surjit as a leader who remained committed to his ideology till his last breath and described his death as a personal loss.

''Mr Surjit belonged to that golden era when strength of personal relations was recognised despite differences of political ideologies'', he said.

Conveying his heartfelt condolence, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said Mr. Surjeet's death has created a void which could never be filled.

''With his death India today lost one of the eminent leaders of our times who played an active and impressive role in Indian National Politics,'' he said.

Punjab Information and Public Relations Minister Manoranjan Kalia expressed profound sorrow describing him as a seasoned politician.

President Punjab Congress and Leader of the Opposition said the country had lost a nationalist and secular leader who worked for the common man and fought against the communal and fascist forces all along his life.

UNI JN MMS1922