CHANDIGARH: Former Punjab Chief Minister 91-year-old Surjit Singh Barnala, who also remained the Governor of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Uttarakhand died here today.
Barnala, who served as Chief Minister of the state from 1985 to 1987, was admitted to the Cardiac Care Unit of Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) here on Thursday and was today shifted this morning to respiratory ICU where he breathed his last.
As Governor of Tamil Nadu, Barnala had refused to recommend dismissal of the DMK government in 1991 when the late Chandrashekhar was the Prime Minister. Then, he was transferred to Bihar following his refusal, but he chose to resign from the post of Governor.
The union government then dismissed the DMK Government under Article 356 of the Constitution after Barnala's refusal.
A moderate leader of the Akali Dal, he became chief minister after the Rajiv-Longowal accord to usher in peace in the troubled state was reached in the summer of 1985.
Born on October 21, 1925, in Ateli village (now in Mahendergarh district of Haryana), Barnala did his graduation in law from Lucknow before entering politics.
He had also served as Governor of Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He also served as Agriculture Minister and Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister in two Union Government headed by Moraji Desai and Atal Bihari Vajpayee respectively.
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal condoled the death of Barnala.