Gurpreet Kaur pays tribute to former Punjab minister Bhagat Chunni Lal

Former Punjab cabinet minister Bhagat Chunni Lal, aged 93, was mourned on Sunday at a solemn ardas held at the MS Farm in Basti Peer Dad. The gathering drew senior political figures from across the state.

Senior leaders attend the ceremony

Among the attendees were Aam Aadmi Party stalwarts Manish Sisodia, state president Aman Arora and finance minister Harpal Cheema, alongside several other veteran politicians who expressed their condolences to the bereaved family.

Gurpreet Kaur’s heartfelt homage

Gurpreet Kaur, wife of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, also took part in the tribute. Speaking to the media, she described the loss as a profound sorrow not only for the family but for society at large. She praised Chunni Lal for dedicating his entire life to public service, noting that despite holding high office he remained humble and deeply connected to the people.

Chunni Lal’s political journey

Chunni Lal entered public life as a grassroots leader, earning a reputation for being approachable and responsive to local concerns. In 2012 he was appointed cabinet minister in the Shiromani Akali Dal‑Bharatiya Janata Party coalition government led by Prakash Singh Badal, where he oversaw key portfolios and continued his focus on community welfare.

Family and public reaction

The minister’s son, cabinet minister Mohinder Bhagat, confirmed his father’s death on 10 September at his home in Jalandhar. Gurpreet Kaur said she had come to join the family in grief and to pray for Chunni Lal’s soul, hoping that the bereaved family would find the strength to accept his passing.