Chandigarh: Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former Union minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa passed away at the age of 89. He was admitted to Fortis Hospital in Mohali, where he was being treated for a lung infection.
The news of his demise was shared by his son Parminder Singh Dhindsa with former Mansa MLA Sukhwinder Singh Aulakh. Dhindsa had been ailing for some time and was one of the senior-most leaders of the Akali Dal, known for his long political journey alongside the late Parkash Singh Badal.
Dhindsa served as a Union minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government from 2000 to 2004 and had vast experience in the Punjab Legislative Assembly.
He first entered the assembly in 1972 as an independent candidate and later joined the Shiromani Akali Dal under Harchand Singh Longowal’s leadership. Over the years, he represented the Sunam and Sangrur constituencies and held various ministerial roles in the state.
Born in Ubhawal village in Sangrur district, Dhindsa was elected secretary of the Student Council at Government Ranbir College, Sangrur, during his early years. In recognition of his public service, he was conferred with the Padma Bhushan by then President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan on March 11, 2019.
He was the patron of the Shiromani Akali Dal and remained a prominent figure in Punjab politics for decades.
