AMN /Chandigarh
Former Punjab Chief Minister and former Governor of many states Surjit Singh Barnala passed away after a prolonged illness at PGI here today.
Ninty-one-year-old Barnala was admitted to the PGIMER recently where he breathed his last. He is survived by wife Surjit Kaur Barnala and two sons Jasjit Singh Barnala and Gaganjit Singh Barnala.
Barnala, born on October 21, 1925 in Ateli, Haryana, was also involved in the Quit India Movement in 1942. He had contested the elections for the first time in 1952 but lost.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi today expressed her deep sadness and condolence over the death of former Punjab Chief Minister Surjit Singh Barnala.
In her condolence message on the death of Mr Barnala, Mrs Gandhi said,”Mr Barnala was a freedom fighter, a dedicated political worker, social worker, a good writer and an excellent human being.
He played a significant role in the establishment of peace in Punjab, fighting terrorism and the Rajiv-Longowal accord. ”