Lal Singh, a veteran and the senior-most Congress leader from Punjab, died at the age of 83 on Saturday, March 28. Singh was the former acting president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee and ex-Punjab state Cabinet minister.
Lal Singh had contested from the Sanaur constituency for the last 45 years. He first contested polls from the constituency in 1977. During the 2017 Punjab Assembly elections, he was denied a ticket from Sanaur due to the one family, one ticket rule.
Son Rajinder Singh got the ticket from the Samana constituency and won the Assembly seat. The 6-time MLA, Lal Singh, was regarded as a stalwart of Punjab's Congress unit, maintaining close ties with leaders across party lines.
Congress Punjab President Amarinder Singh Raja has expressed grief over the death of Lal Singh. "Today we have lost the Grand Old Wise Man of Punjab politics, Sardar Laal Singh Ji. We were lucky that he was with us in the Congress. While it is indeed a great loss to the state and its people, for us it is a grater and bigger loss."
"People of my generation have learnt a lot from Sardar Ji. His absence will be profoundly missed. He carried with himself immense wisdom that he had gathered over his decades of experience of being in politics and public life," Amarinder Singh wrote on X post.
"While being a dyed in wool Congressman, he never let his political ideology prevent personal relationship with people across the spectrum. He was deservingly loved and respected by one and all, cutting across the political lines," he added further.
Sukhbir Singh Badal also expressed grief on the passing of Singh, wrote, "Deeply saddened by the passing away of senior Congress leader and former Punjab Minister Lal Singh Ji. His lifelong contribution to public service will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and followers. May his soul rest in eternal peace."