CPI leader Satya Pal Dang dead

Veteran CPI leader Satya Pal Dang passed away in Amritsar on Saturday. He was 92 and ailing for the last few years. Born in 1920 in Gujranwala in Pakistan, Satypal Dang married Vimla, another CPI leader, in 1952. Vimla died in 2009. The couple was known for their courage in raising their voices against terrorism in Punjab.

Dang had contested his first Vidhan Sabha election in 1966-67 from Amritsar west constituency. He went on to win after defeating then CM Gurmukh Singh Musafir. After this he became food and civil supply minister in the coalition government. During his tenure he took some tough decisions to ensure that food items reached the poor through PDS.

Dang won from the same constituency in 1969, 1972 and 1977. During his tenure as minister, he never opted for an official bungalow but preferred to live in MLAs’ flat and toured his constituency on a bicycle.

He remained an active trade union leader and fought for the cause of workers.

Dang faced his first defeat in 1980. Later, his seat was given to his wife Vimla, who won it back in 1992.