Ex-Punjab Chief Minister Surjit Singh Barnala passes away at 91

Pic courtesy: All India Radio

Chandigarh: Former Punjab Chief Minister Surjit Singh Barnala passed away after suffering from prolonged illness at PGI, Chandigarh, on Saturday. 

He was 91 and had served as Punjab Chief Minister from 1985 to 1987. 

He was admitted to the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) recently where he breathed his last today.

Barnala had also served as Governor of Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh and Andaman and Nicobar Islands and was a minister at the Centre.

Born on October 21, 1925, in Ateli Haryana, he was also involved in Quit India Movement in 1942.

Barnala contested the election for the first time in 1952 but lost. He was elected to Parliament in 1977 and was inducted in the Morarji Desai government as agriculture minister. Barnala was instrumental in setting up Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. 

He is survived by wife Surjit Kaur Barnala and four children.