Parkash Singh Badal, a five-time former chief minister of Punjab and patriarch of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) party, passed away on April 25, 2023, at a private hospital in Mohali due to breathing difficulties. He was 95 years old and had a seven-decade-long political career, during which he served as a village sarpanch and was the youngest chief minister of Punjab.
Badal lost only two elections in his political career and was an opponent of the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal. He returned his Padma Vibhushan award in protest against the treatment of the protesting farmers by the Central Government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu expressed their condolences, and the Centre has declared two days of national mourning following his death.
Extremely saddened by the passing away of Shri Parkash Singh Badal Ji. He was a colossal figure of Indian politics, and a remarkable statesman who contributed greatly to our nation. He worked tirelessly for the progress of Punjab and anchored the state through critical times. pic.twitter.com/scx2K7KMCq
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 25, 2023
