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. He was rushed to a hospital in Phagwara where he died later.

Rahul Gandhi also rushed to the hospital where the veteran Congress leader was taken, a party leader said. The yatra has been suspended for now.

The Punjab leg of the Congress’ mega foot march began on Wednesday Fatehgarh Sahib.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said Mr Chaudhary’s death is a “great blow to the party and organisation”.

“Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the untimely passing away of our MP, Shri Santokh Singh Chaudhary. His loss is a great blow to the party and organisation. In this hour of grief, my heart goes out to his family, friends and followers. May his soul rest in peace,” he tweeted.

Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the untimely passing away of our MP, Shri Santokh Singh Chaudhary.

His loss is a great blow to the party and organisation.

In this hour of grief, my heart goes out to his family, friends and followers.

May his soul rest in peace.

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) January 14, 2023

    
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh tweeted, “Santokh Singh Chaudhary, aged 76, Congress MP from Jalandhar, passed away from a sudden cardiac arrest during the Bharat Jodo Yatra this morning. We extend our deepest condolences to his family. There will be some changes in schedule of the yatra which will be shared shortly.

Santokh Singh Chaudhary, aged 76, Congress MP from Jalandhar, passed away from a sudden cardiac arrest during the Bharat Jodo Yatra this morning. We extend our deepest condolences to his family. There will be some changes in schedule of the yatra which will be shared shortly.

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) January 14, 2023

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also expressed their condolences. 

जालंधर से लोकसभा सांसद श्री संतोख सिंह जी के निधन पर शोक व्यक्त करता हूं। सुदीर्घ सार्वजनिक जीवन में जनहित के मुद्दों पर वे सदैव मुखर रहे। सदन में अनुशासन से अपनी बात रखना उनके व्यक्तित्व की खासियत थी। ईश्वर दिवंगत आत्मा को शांति प्रदान करें। परिजनों के प्रति मेरी संवेदनाएं।

— Om Birla (@ombirlakota) January 14, 2023