Ex-Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal dead; Prez, PM condole the demise

Former Punjab Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal patron Parkash Singh Badal passed away on Tuesday at a private hospital in Mohali. He was aged 95.

He breathed his last at Fortis Hospital in Mohali, confirmed the PA of his son and Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal. The former CM passed away around 8 pm, hospital Director Abhijeet Singh told PTI over the phone.

In a statement, the hospital said, "S Parkash Singh Badal, Former Chief Minister of Punjab, was admitted at Fortis Hospital Mohali on 16th April 2023 with acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma. He was shifted to the medical ICU on 18th April as his respiratory condition worsened."

The press release claimed that he had been on NIV (non-invasive ventilation) and HFNC (high-flow nasal cannula) support along with medical management. He was being managed under Prof (Dr) Digambar Behera along with the Pulmonology and critical care team supported by Cardiology.

"Despite appropriate medical management S Parkash Singh Badal succumbed to his illness. Fortis Hospital Mohali deeply condoles the death of S Parkash Singh Badal," it concluded.

The 95-year-old Shiromani Akali Dal patriarch was admitted to the Fortis Hospital in Mohali more than a week ago after he complained of uneasiness while breathing.

The five-time former Chief Minister of Punjab was hospitalised in June last year also following complaints related to gastritis and bronchial asthma.

The senior Badal was the youngest Chief Minister to have ever held office in Punjab and was the CM from 1970-1971, from 1977-1980, from 1997-2002, and from 2007-2017.

Prez, PM Condole The Death

President Draupadi Murmu expressed her condolence over his death and said that he was one of the tallest political stalwarts since independence. "Though his exemplary career in public service was largely confined to Punjab, he was respected across the country. His demise leaves a void. My heartfelt condolences to his family and admirers," she tweeted.

Prime Minister mourned the death of the Shiromani Akali Dal patriarch and remembered him as a "colossal figure of Indian politics."

"Extremely saddened by the passing away of Parkash Singh Badal Ji. He was a colossal figure of Indian politics & a remarkable statesman who contributed greatly to our nation. He worked tirelessly for the progress of Punjab & anchored the state through critical times," PM Modi tweeted.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that Parkash Singh Badal 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," he said in his condolence tweet.

The Union Minister further said that the former Punjab CM was a "son of soil". He wrote, "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!"

BJP National President JP Nadda expressed his condolence and said, "he was a towering personality of Indian politics whose contribution to the development of Punjab is immense and will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and supporters."S. Parkash Singh Badal ji was a veteran of Indian politics.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said that Parkash Singh Badal was a veteran of Indian politics. "Although we differed in our ideologies, he earned immense respect among the people of Punjab for his simplicity and loyalty to his cadre, as he served multiple terms as CM. Our deepest condolences to his family," he tweeted.

BJP veteran LK Advani described Badal as a doyen of Punjab politics who was a grassroots leader and endeared himself to the masses by working tirelessly for the state's development. "I shared a long and cherished association with him and I admired him for his simplicity and commitment for the welfare of farmers and weaker sections of the society," he said.

Meanwhile, the Centre has announced two days of state mourning on April 26 and 27 across India in view of the death of Parkash Singh Badal. "On the days of mourning, the national-flag will be flown half mast on all buildings where the national flag is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment on these two days," in a communication to all the states, the Union Home Ministry said.