CHANDIGARH: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former chief minister of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal, has passed away. The SAD office in Chandigarh has received his remains. Around 12.30 p.m., Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the SAD party office to pay his last respects to the leader.
To pay their final respects to Badal, people have been lining up outside the SAD headquarters here since early on Wednesday. The five-time chief minister of Punjab, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 95, is being commemorated by a holiday on Thursday, according to the Punjab government.
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Twitter stated, "With profound grief, we inform you about the demise of 5-time CM and SAD patron S Parkash Singh Ji Badal. Mortal remains will be placed for paying last respects at the SAD office in Chandigarh from 10 am to 12 noon tom following which they will be taken to Vill Badal. Cremation will be held on April 27," SAD said in a tweet.
An official order states that on Thursday, all governmental offices, corporations, boards, departments, and educational institutions will be closed.
Over a week ago, Badal, who had been experiencing health issues for some time, was brought to the Fortis Hospital in nearby Mohali after he complained of breathing difficulty.
The mortal remains of the SAD patriarch will be transported to his hometown of Badal in Muktsar through Rajpura, Patiala, Sangrur, Barnala, Rampura Phul, and Bathinda. According to a party leader, the cremation will take place on Thursday at 1 pm.
In remembrance of the former chief minister of Punjab, the central government has already declared two days of national mourning on April 26 and 27 throughout India.
President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Modi, a number of federal ministers, as well as chief ministers and other prominent figures from Punjab and Haryana who crossed party lines, all expressed their condolences for Badal's demise and hailed his great contributions to the state and the country.
Also Watch:
;