Political leaders pay last respects at Parkash Singh Badal's village

Political leaders from various parties, including J P Nadda of BJP, Sharad Pawar of NCP, and Omar Abdullah of National Conference, visited the ancestral village of Parkash Singh Badal in Muktsar district on Thursday (April 27), to pay their final respects to the Akali leader who had served as Punjab’s chief minister on five occasions.

Badal’s mortal remains were kept on a flower-decked tractor trolley and were headed to the family’s farmland around a kilometer from the residence. A platform has been erected there for the last rites.

Paid my last respects to Former Chief Minister of Punjab Shri Parkash Singh Badal ji and expressed my condolences to his family at Lambi village in Punjab. pic.twitter.com/7bdclL42eo

— Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) April 27, 2023

His son Sukhbir Singh Badal along with others stood on the tractor-trolley with folded hands as it made its way through the sea of mourners.

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, senior BJP leader Tarun Chugh, Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala, and former union minister Praful Patel paid homage to the former chief minister.

Former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Congress leader Deepender Hooda, Punjab BJP chief Ashwani Sharma, Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, former Punjab minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa also paid their last respects to the departed leader.

Also Read: PM Modi, political leaders pay tribute to Parkash Singh Badal; Punjab declares holiday

They offered condolences to Sukhbir Singh Badal and other family members.

People in huge numbers queued up at Badal’s residence to pay tributes and express grief.

Badal died on Tuesday at the age of 95.

Heavy security arrangements have been made in the village as many dignitaries will be visiting for the last rites.

Mortal remains kept for darshan

Earlier, the mortal remains of Badal were kept for the last darshan at his residence.

Badal’s son Sukhbir Badal and daughter-in-law Harsimrat Kaur Badal could be seen in tears. Their two daughters and a son also stood beside the mortal remains of the Akali stalwart at their residence.

Also Read: Parkash Singh Badal, 5-time Punjab CM, dies at 95; two-day national mourning announced

Former Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal, estranged nephew of Parkash Singh Badal, former minister Bikram Singh Majithia, among other leaders were also present.

The grand old man of Punjab politics first became chief minister in 1970, heading a coalition government that did not complete its term. He served as chief minister in 1977-80, 1997-2002, 2007-12 and 2012-2017.

(With agency inputs)