New DelhiPrime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Chandigarh on Wednesday and paid his last respects to Shiromani Akali Dal patriarch and five-time Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, who passed away at the age of 95. A week ago in Mohali, he had complained of difficulty in breathing. Expressing his condolences, the Prime Minister earlier said that he was “extremely saddened” by the loss. He described Badal as “a great figure in Indian politics”. The Prime Minister said, he was a “remarkable statesman who contributed immensely to our country, worked tirelessly for the progress of Punjab”.
#Watch, PM Narendra Modi pays last respects to Shiromani Akali Dal patron Parkash Singh Badal in Chandigarh. pic.twitter.com/Cn02etMz5Z– ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2023
Last rites of SAD patron on Thursday
The last rites of Shiromani Akali Dal patron Parkash Singh Badal will be performed on Thursday at 1 pm in the ancestral village Badal. According to party leaders, Badal’s body will be kept at the Shiromani Akali Dal office in Chandigarh from 10 am to 10 pm on Wednesday for last darshan. “With deep sorrow, we inform you about the passing away of 5 time CM & SAD Patron S Parkash Singh Ji Badal. Mortal remains kept at SAD office in Chandigarh from 10 am to 12 noon to pay last respects After which they will be taken to Badal village, the SAD said in a tweet. The cremation will take place on April 27.”
video | The mortal remains of former Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal will be kept at the Shiromani Akali Dal party office in Chandigarh for two hours for people to pay homage to the departed soul. pic.twitter.com/Ra0TWeQECa– Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 26, 2023
The senior Punjab leader breathed his last at Fortis Hospital in Mohali. In its official media bulletin, Fortis Hospital said, “Former Punjab Chief Minister S Parkash Singh Badal was admitted to Fortis Hospital Mohali on April 16, 2023 with acute exacerbation of Bronchial Asthma. He was shifted to Medical ICU.” His respiratory condition worsened on April 18. He was on NIV and HFNC support along with medical management.”
“He was being managed under Prof (Dr) Digambar Behera with pulmonology and critical care team supported by cardiology. S Prakash Singh Badal succumbed to his illness despite proper medical management. Fortis Hospital Mohali S Prakash Singh Deeply condoles the death of Badal,” the statement added.
Center declares two-day national mourning
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government declared a two-day national mourning over Badal’s death. Flags across the country will fly at half-mast for two days, while all official entertainment events have been cancelled. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled his death and said that Badal was a towering figure in Indian politics and a remarkable statesman who contributed immensely to our country.
Taking to Twitter, PM Modi said, “Deeply saddened by the passing away of Shri Parkash Singh Badal ji. He was a towering figure in Indian politics and a remarkable statesman who contributed immensely to our country. He worked tirelessly for the progress of Punjab.” worked and supported the state through critical times”.
Deeply saddened by the demise of Shri Prakash Singh Badal ji. He was a towering figure of Indian politics, and a remarkable statesman who contributed greatly to our country. He worked tirelessly for the progress of Punjab and supported the state in difficult times. pic.twitter.com/scx2K7KMCq
Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 25, 2023
According to the party, Badal was admitted to the ICU on April 21 after he complained of breathlessness. Parkash Singh Badal was the Chief Minister of Punjab several times. He was the CM from 1970–1971, 1977–1980, 1997–2002 and 2007–2017. He was also the youngest Chief Minister to hold the position in the state of Punjab.