Chandigarh: Thousands of people from all walks of life including the larger Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) family today came together to bid adieu to one of the tallest leaders of our times – five time chief minister and Akali patriarch Parkash Singh Badal at the party head office here. Hundreds showered the bedecked ambulance carrying the mortal remains of Badal on its way in procession from here to the SAD patron’s native village Badal in Muktsar district with rose petals and flowers.

The mortal remains of the former chief minister were brought to the SAD’s head office here today morning. A host of dignitaries led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid their last respects to the man known for doing the utmost for Punjab and Punjabiyat. The Prime Minister paid homage to the late leader and also commiserated with SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal and members of the Badal family.

Among others who paid their last respects to the former chief minister included Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, INLD supremo Om Parkash Chautala, former chief ministers Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and Charanjit Singh Channi, BJP Punjab incharge Vijay Rupani, BJP Punjab president Ashwani Sharma, finance minister Harpal Cheema, education minister Harjot Bains, leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, Preneet Kaur and Sunil Jakhar. So did senior BSP leaders Avtar Singh Kareempuri and Jasbir Singh Garhi besides SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami. Members of the Badal family who were present on the occasion included Manpreet Badal, Parneet Kaur and Adaish Partap Singh Kairon and Bikram Singh Majithia.

Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in a message on the occasion expressed his deepest condolences at the passing away of the five times chief minister and acknowledged the latter’s contributions for the welfare of farmers and the weaker sections.

There were emotional scenes with people from all walks of life, including bureaucrats and professionals, women and veterans paying their last respects to the Akali patriarch amidst recitation of mellifluous kirtan which was followed by the ‘ardas’. Following this the mortal remains of Sardar Badal were transferred to a bedecked ambulance amidst slogans of Bole so Nihal – Sat Sri Akal and ‘Panth te Punjab da rakha, Parkash Singh Badal amar rahe”. The ambulance started its journey for the Akali titan’s native village Badal with the SAD president sitting in the front seat even as former minister Bikram Singh Majithia took to the wheel amidst showering of rose petals.

All along the route women, the young and the old came out in hundreds at multiple stops to catch a last glimpse of their beloved leader. The lines of the popular song – Kade kade paida hunda, Badal varga insaan seemed to be on everybody’s lips with many shouting it in unison even as they showered the ambulance carrying the patriarch’s mortal remains with flowers.

The post Thousands from all walks of life bid final adieu to 5 times CM Parkash Singh Badal appeared first on TV Punjab | English News Channel.