Congress MP dies of heart attack during Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra; PM Modi condoles

New Delhi, Jan 14: In an unfortunate incident, Congress MP Chaudhary Santokh Singh died of a heart attack during Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra in Punjab's Phillaur.

He collapsed during the yatra and was rushed to a hospital by ambulance to Virk hospital in Phillaur and Congress leaders Rana Gurjeet Singh and Vijay Inder Singla have confirmed his demise.

News agency ANI posted a clip of an ambulance passing through the yatra. However, the last rites will be performed tomorrow.

"Yatra suspended for today. Tomorrow, last rites will be held. Haven't spoken to Rahul Gandhi yet but we all feel that after last rites we'll start the Yatra. Till last rites it'll be suspended," Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolence over the death, saying that he was "pained by the death."

"Pained by the passing away of MP Shri Santokh Singh Chaudhary Ji. He will be remembered for his efforts to serve the people of Punjab. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti," he wrote on Twitter.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has expressed his condolence over the death and said, "I am deeply saddened by the untimely death of Congress Member of Parliament from Jalandhar, Santokh Singh Chowdhury.. May God rest his soul in peace."

The Bharat Jodo Yatra resumed from Ladhowal on Saturday morning as part of its Punjab leg. Following the death, the yatra has been stopped. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has expressed over the "untimely passing away" of Santokh Singh. He termed his death as a "great blow" to the party.

"Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the untimely passing away of our MP, Shri 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," Kharge said in a tweet.

Santokh Singh Chaudhary was a former Cabinet Minister of Punjab and a member of parliament from Jalandhar (Lok Sabha constituency). He was elected from the seat from 2014 and 2019 polls.

Meanwhile, Congress president Rahul Gandhi paid a visit to the deceased's house to personally offer his condolence.