Politics · India Bureau
Former Punjab minister Bhagat Chunni Lal dies at 93
Bhagat Chunni Lal, a veteran politician who served as cabinet minister during the SAD-BJP government, passed away at his residence in Jalandhar on Thursday. His son, current Horticulture Minister Mohinder Bhagat, confirmed the death of the nonagenarian.
LSN India ·
The 93-year-old politician breathed his last at his home in Punjab's Jalandhar district. Mohinder Bhagat, who serves as Horticulture minister in the Aam Aadmi Party government, expressed deep sorrow over his father's demise. The Punjab government announced a half-day holiday as a mark of respect.
Lal held ministerial portfolios during the Parkash Singh Badal-led SAD-BJP administration in 2012, overseeing Local Government as well as Medical Education and Research. Born on December 1, 1932, in Sialkot—now part of Pakistan—Lal's family relocated to Jalandhar following Partition.
His political career spanned multiple decades. He first contested elections as an Independent candidate from Jalandhar South in 1985 but lost. He subsequently won from the same constituency on a BJP ticket in 1997, and was elected as Member of Legislative Assembly in 2007 and 2012. His cremation was scheduled for 5 pm on Thursday in Jalandhar.