Former Punjab CM Surjit Singh Barnala Passed Away

Chandigarh: Former CM of Punjab Surjit Singh Barnala, 91 passed away at PGIMER, Chandigarh, after struggling with prolonged illness.

Surjit Singh Barnala was born on 21 October 1925 in Ateli, Haryana. He was participated in historical Quit India Movement of 1942. After practicing law for few years he entered into active films in late 60's.

Barnala 1st stood for elections from SAD(Shiromani Akali Dal) in 1952 but registered failure by just 4 votes.

He served as Chief Minister of Punjab State from September 29, 1985 to May 11, 1987, which is an active period of Sikh militant movement.

In 1998 Barnala became the Union Minister for Food & Consumer Affairs and Chemical & Fertlizers in NDA-1 regime. Later he served as Governor of Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu.

Shiromani Akali Dal expressed their condolences "We express heartfelt condolences as former Punjab CM and an Akali veteran Surjit Singh Barnala passed away today."