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Badal, leaders condole Sahib Singh’s death

Staff Correspondent

“A huge moment of grief for the poor and farmers”

CHANDIGARH:Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and several ministers in the Akali-BJP Government in the State and senior leaders of the Shiromani Akali Dal have expressed grief over the tragic demise of former Union Labour Minister and Delhi Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma.

Describing his death as “a great personal loss and a huge moment of grief for the poor and farming community,” Mr. Badal in an official release said Mr. Verma was a rare example of a down-to-earth politician rooted to the basic values of political life.

Recalling his personal association with him, Mr. Badal said that Mr. Verma had the ability to floor everyone with his humility and simplicity. Mr. Badal received the news when he was about to board a helicopter to leave for New Delhi to proceed for Bhuj, in Gujarat, to attend the inauguration of a college building of an NGO, Swabhiman, run by Mr. Verma. Both leaders were scheduled to meet in New Delhi for the function. Mr. Badal will now attend the cremation of Mr. Verma instead.

Shiromani Akali Dal acting president Sukhbir Singh Badal in his condolence message said that in Mr. Verma’s death the country had lost a votary of farmers and working class. He recalled that Mr. Verma during his brief stint as the leader in charge of the BJP’s Punjab affairs won the hearts of everyone with his down-to-earth approach. Punjab Cooperation Minister Kanwaljit Singh and Information and Public Relations Minister Bikram Singh Majithia described Mr. Verma as an honest politician who relentlessly worked for the betterment of underprivileged sections of society.

CHANDIGARH: The All-India Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) has expressed shock and disbelief at the sudden demise of BJP stalwart Sahib Singh Verma on the Delhi-Jaipur highway on Saturday. #A release issued here quoted BJYM president Amit Thaker as describing Mr. Verma as an upright, honest, committed and firebrand BJP leader who was a source of inspiration to the youth, especially the activists of BJYM. #BJYM general secretary Sanjiv Chaurasia announced the postponement of the national executive meeting of the organisation, which was slated to be held in New Delhi on July 3 and 4. Mr. Chaurasia said since the BJP and its youth wing had lost a mass leader, the Morcha’s national executive meeting would stand postponed till a new programme was chalked out.

JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje expressed her deep condolences on the demise of former Delhi Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma. Ms. Raje said the nation had lost a “committed grassroots leader and very good administrator” in his passing away.

“Shri Verma, who had his tenure as a very popular Chief Minister of Delhi, also distinguished himself as a Union Minister. He would always be remembered as a people-friendly leader,” Ms. Raje said in a statement on Saturday. The Chief Minister said she and the people of Rajasthan were deeply shocked by the tragic death of Mr. Verma in an accident in the State.

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Governor Surjit Singh Barnala on Saturday expressed shock and grief over the sudden demise of former Delhi Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma in a road accident. In his condolence message, the Governor said Sahib Singh Verma was known for his simplicity and hard work and was easily accessible to the people. Born into a farmer’s family, he had risen to high positions and served the cause of the people, he said, adding that his death was an irreparable loss to the nation.

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