United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Saturday expressed grief over the demise of Congress MP Santokh Singh Choudhary - who collapsed during the third day of the Punjab leg of the Bharat Jodo Yatra and was later declared dead. In a letter to Kamaljit Kaur (Santokh Singh’s wife), Sonia praised the contributions of Santokh Choudhary for the party and hailed his ‘devotion and loyalty towards the Congress’ ideology’.
“I am deeply saddened to learn about the sudden demise of senior Congress leader and your husband Shri Santokh Singh Choudhary ji due to a heart attack during the historic Bharat Jodo Yatra of Congress. I can understand how painful it is for other family members as well as for you in particular to suddenly lose your life partner at this age after several decades of married life,” Sonia Gandhi’s letter said.
“Still the law of destiny has to be accepted and tolerated. I am sure that you will try to face this pain with the same perspective. He remained devoted and loyal to the ideology of the Congress, and served the party and society by following the principles and ideals of the Congress ideology throughout his life. His demise is an irreparable loss. I extend my heartfelt condolences to you and the family in these moments of pain,” she added in the letter published by the Congress.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said during a press conference in Jalandhar that the proceedings of the yatra will remain suspended for 24 hours while paying obeisance to Santokh Singh Chaudhary. “The Yatra will resume tomorrow afternoon from Khalsa College Ground, Jalandhar,” he added.
{{/usCountry}}Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said during a press conference in Jalandhar that the proceedings of the yatra will remain suspended for 24 hours while paying obeisance to Santokh Singh Chaudhary. “The Yatra will resume tomorrow afternoon from Khalsa College Ground, Jalandhar,” he added.
{{/usCountry}}Congress leader Rahul Gandhi arrived at the residence of Santokh Singh Chaudharyin Jalandhar and offered his respects to the family of the deceased leader.He postponed a press conference originally scheduled to be held tomorrow to January 17.
Santokh Singh joined the Bharat Jodo Yatra while the Rahul Gandhi-led march was passing through Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab.On the third day of the yatra in Punjab, the Congress MP suffered a cardiac arrest and was immediately taken to Phagwara civil hospital, where he was declared dead. Rahul Gandhi will attend his cremation on Sunday morning.