While at Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra in Punjab’s Phillaur on Saturday, 76-year-old Congress MP Chaudhary Santokh Singh collapsed due to a heart attack which reportedly led to his demise.
The senior MP was taken to the Virk Hospital in Phagwara in an ambulance after collapsing during the rush of the yatra, where he was walking alongside Rahul Gandhi just moments before he suffered the heart attack.
The demise of the two-time MP was confirmed by Congress leaders Rana Gurjeet Singh and Vijay Inder Singla.
The yatra for the rest of the day was called off soon after the incident. Rahul Gandhi’s press conference scheduled to happen in Jaladhar on Sunday has also since reportedly been cancelled.
Later in the day, Rahul met with the kin of the deceased MP in Jalandhar.
“Shocked by the sudden demise of Santokh Singh Chaudhary. He was a down-to-earth hardworking leader, a pious person and a strong pillar of the Congress family, who dedicated his life to public service from Youth Congress to Member of Parliament. I express my condolences to the bereaved family,” Gandhi expressed, tweeting in Hindi.
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, taking to Twitter, stated, “I am deeply saddened by the untimely death of Congress Member of Parliament from Jalandhar, Chaudhary Santokh Singh.. May God rest his soul in peace.”
Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal also tweeted, “Saddened to learn about the passing away of Jalandhar MP Sh. Santokh Chaudhary Ji. My condolences to his son @VikramjitMLA , family and followers. May Gurusahab bless his soul.”
Former Chief Minister of Punjab, Capt.Amarinder Singh expressed his condolences stating, “Extremely saddened to hear about the sudden demise of MP Santokh Singh Chaudhary ji due to a heart attack today. My heartfelt condolences are with his entire family in their time of grief. May Waheguru Ji grant eternal peace to the departed soul.”