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Former Chandigarh mayor Pradeep Chhabra passes away at 62
Once a loyalist of former MP Pawan Kumar Bansal, Chhabra had switched from the Congress to the Aam Aadmi Party in 2021 and was appointed president of the Punjab Large Industrial Development Board in January 2023.
Former Chandigarh mayor Pradeep Chhabra died on Tuesday after a prolonged battle with liver cancer. He was 62.
He had been admitted at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) for last many days. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
Chhabra, who had switched from the Congress to the Aam Aadmi Party in 2021, was appointed president of the Punjab Large Industrial Development Board in January 2023.
A loyalist of former Union railway minister and four-time Chandigarh member of Parliament Pawan Kumar Bansal, Chhabra was also the president of the Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee in 2015.
After joining the AAP three years ago, Chhabra played a significant role in strengthening its base in Chandigarh. He started his political career with the student wing of the Congress, the National Students’ Union of India, in 1986.
He served as the mayor of the Chandigarh municipal corporation in 2008.
His last rites were carried out at the Sector 25 crematorium on Tuesday evening. Veteran leaders of the Congress and senior AAP leaders attended the cremation.
MC House observes 2-minute silence, Tewari pays tribute
A two-minute silence in the memory and honour of Chhabra was also observed by the General House of the Chandigarh municipal corporation on Tuesday. MP Manish Tewari shared memories of Chhabra with the attendees.
“My profound condolences on the death of Pradeep Chabra, a senior leader of @AAPChandigarh who unfortunately passed away today. My association with Late Sh. Pradeep Chabra goes back to 1986 when he was the Vice President of @NSUIChandigarh and I was the National General Secretary of the @nsui. During the past 38 years we worked closely, especially when I was the National President of @nsui from 1988-1993. Pradeep Chabra was the President of @INCChandigarh and the Former Mayor of the city Beautiful. I once again would like to convey my condolences to the bereaved family,” he tweeted.
His untimely death a personal loss to me: Bansal
Bansal also took to Twitter to express his condolences: “Deeply saddened at the untimely passing away of Sh. #PradeepChhabra. He had been a close associate for decades and worked with distinction as President of Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee @INCChandigarh for six years. His passing has created a big void in Chandigarh’s social and political life and is a personal loss for me. May Almighty grant eternal peace to the departed noble soul and courage to Mrs Chhabra, daughters, other members of the family and his innumerable number of friends and associates to bear the loss with fortitude.”
