Shawdesh Desk:

Ludhiana: Congress MP Santokh Singh Chaudhary died of a heart attack during Bharat Jodo Yatra in Punjab this morning. He was 76.

Santokh Singh Chaudhary, the party’s MP from Jalandhar, collapsed during the foot march in Punjab’s Phillaur when he was walking with Rahul Gandhi.

The veteran Congress leader was taken to a hospital in Phagwara where he was declared dead on arrival.

Rahul Gandhi left the march midway and rushed to the hospital where Mr Chaudhary had been taken, a party leader said. He also met Mr Chaudhary’s family members at his home in Jalandhar’s Dhaliwal.

The yatra has been suspended for now, said Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, adding Mr Chaudhary’s cremation will be done tomorrow morning.

He said Mr Chaudhary was very excited about the yatra as it was passing through his area.
Mr Gandhi later shared a photo collage from today’s yatra in which Mr Chaudhary is seen walking with him and other party leaders.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled Mr Chaudhary’s death, saying “he will be remembered for his efforts to serve the people of Punjab.”

“Pained by the passing away of MP Shri Santokh Singh Chaudhary Ji. He will be remembered for his efforts to serve the people of Punjab. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti,” PM Modi tweeted.