A pall of gloom descended on Badal village in Muktsar with the death of former MP Gurdas Singh Badal— the father of Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal and younger brother of former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

Undergoing treatment at Mohali’s Fortis hospital as he was not keeping unwell for a while, 88-year-old Gurdas Badal passed away on late Thursday night following a cardiac arrest.

Manpreet’s father’s death came within two months after he lost his mother Harmandir Kaur on March 19, just ahead the state government announced curfew in the state.

Similar to an appeal he made at the time of his mother’s death, Manpreet on Friday released a video via social media appealing people to refrain from personally visiting him to share condolences and attending the funeral ceremony owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It is with great sorrow that I inform about the demise of my father Gurdas Singh Badal. He passed away last night at Fortis Hospital, Mohali. He was 90. His health had started deteriorating after my mother’s death in March, and he was on life support system for past few days,” tweeted Manpreet.

“Keeping in view the current pandemic, we will like to request all friends and well wishers to refrain from attending the funeral ceremony which will be held in our ancestral village,” he added.

Despite his appeals, who’s who of Punjab politics reached the Badal village to pay their last respects. Senior Badal, along with his son and SAD president Sukhbir Badal, Sukhbir’s Union Minister wife Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Harsimrat’s brother Bikram Majithia, and other Akali leaders visited Manpreet’s farmhouse.

Besides, the state Cabinet Ministers Vijay Inder Singla, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Bharat Bhsuhan Ashu, Sunder Sham Arora, Aruna Chaudhary along with Gidderbaha MLA Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, MLA Kulbir Singh Zira among others too attended the cremation ceremony. Radha Soami sect head Baba Gurinder Singh also visited Badal village.

The last rites were performed at Badal village. Having different political affiliations, Manpreet was joined by Sukhbir to shoulder the bier. Sukhbir even joined Manpreet to light the funeral pyre.

Gurdas Badal had been a member of the legislative council from 1967 till 1969. He became a Member of Parliament in 1971.

Former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal paid last respects to his younger brother before Gurdas was consigned to the flames.

"I am speechless today. It's a loss that no language has words to describe. Never felt lonelier in my life. Hard to even think that he won't be by my side now. My thoughts go to Manpreet and other children," Parkash Singh Badal said. Both brothers -- Parkash Singh Badal and Gurdas Singh Badal -- were often referred to as 'Pash te Dass di jodi'. Parkash Badal was known as 'Pash' while Gurdas as 'Dass'.

Gurdas had even unsuccessfully contested against his elder brother Parkash Singh Badal from Lambi seat in 2012 assembly elections after Manpreet Badal parted ways with Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and floated another political outfit People's Party of Punjab. The personal relationship between Parkash Badal and Gurdas Badal, however, remained unaffected.

 ‘PASH TE DASS DI JODI’

“Es toh changa bhra nahi ho sakda! Menu etho tak pahuncha ke aap chala gya,” (No one could be a better brother than him. He left me after taking me this far), said grieving Badal.

“I am speechless today. It's a loss that no language has words to describe. Never felt lonelier in my life. Hard to even think that he won't be by my side now. My thoughts go to Manpreet and other children,” said the senior Badal.

The two brothers were popularly referred to as ‘Pash te Dass di jodi’ in Badal village. Gurdas used to perform the role of an election manager for his senior Badal, who has been the Chief Minister for five times.

However, the duo faced political separation after the Akali Dal expelled Manpreet. The two decided to support their sons. So much so that Gurdas Badal had unsuccessfully contested 2012 Assembly election from Lambi against his elder brother, as a member of Manpreet’s People’s Party of Punjab.

Even during these times, the personal relationship between the two ‘Pash’ (Parkash) and ‘Dass’ (Gurdas), remained intact, and they continued to meet often. Gurdas Badal had also visited his brother at the latter’s birthday.

CONDOLENCES POUR IN

Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has extended his heartfelt condolences to Manpreet Badal over the death of his father. Terming it a huge loss for the family and friends, Capt Amarinder hoped that Manpreet and his sister would have the courage to bear this irreparable loss.

The Chief Minister recalled the remarkable services rendered by Gurdas Badal to ensure the people’s welfare, especially the downtrodden, and for overall development and prosperity of the state, particularly the Malwa region.

SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal described the death of Gurdas Badal as a “huge loss” to the family. “Profoundly pained at the passing away of my chacha ji S Gurdas Singh Badal ji. It's a huge loss to our family, especially to my father S Parkash Singh Badal ji. This void will never be filled,” he tweeted.

Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar said: “I am deeply saddened to learn that our most revered Gurdas Singh ji Badal has passed away. His entire life had been dedicated to public service. With his departure, not only the family but also the politics of Punjab has suffered a never ending loss. In this hour of grief, the entire Congress party stands by his son Manpreet Singh Badal.”

Congress MP Santokh Singh Chaudhary tweeted, “Deeply saddened to know about the demise of S. Gurdas Singh Badal ji. My heartfelt condolences to entire Badal family in this time of grief. I pray to Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul and give strength to the family to bear this loss.”

SAD leader and former minister Daljit Singh Cheema said: “I feel saddened on the passing away of S Gurdas Singh ji Badal. This is a big personal loss for my mentor & leader S Parkash Singh ji Badal, who has lost his most dear younger brother. My heartfelt condolences to S Sukhbir S Badal, S Manpreet S Badal and whole Badal family. RIP.”