Who was Parkash Singh Badal? Explained in 10 points

Former Punjab Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal patriarch Parkash Singh Badal, who was admitted at a private hospital in Mohali, died on Tuesday. He was 95.

Photo Credit: File photo of Parkash Singh Badal

Badal was admitted to the Fortis Hospital in Mohali over a week ago after he complained of uneasiness in breathing.

President Draupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several union ministers and chief ministers and leaders cutting across party lines mourned the death of the former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash. They hailed his immense contributions to the state as well as the country.

Who was Parkash Singh Badal? In 10 Points

• Parkash Singh Badal was born on 8 December 1927 in Abul Khurana, near Malout and belonged to a Jat Sikh family. He graduated from FC College in Lahore.

• His political career started in 1947 and was 'sarpanch' of the village Badal. He later became the Chairman of Block Samiti, Lambi.

• He was elected to Punjab Vidhan Sabha in 1957 from Congress before he shifted to Shiromani Akali Dal.

• He was re-elected in 1969 and served as Minister for Community Development, Panchayati Raj, Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries in the Gurnam Singh government.

• He was the Leader of the Opposition in 1972, 1980 and 2002.

• Parkash Singh Badal was elected in Vidhan Sabha for a total of 11 times. He lost twice - 2022 and 1966.

• He was a union minister in Prime Minister Morarji Desai's government in 1977, serving as Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation.

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

• He was the President of Shiromani Akali Dal from 1995 to 2008.

• PM Modi-led government honoured him with Padma Vibhushan - India's second-highest civilian honour. However, he returned it in 2020-2021 as a mark of protest against the three contentious farm laws.