INDIA. Punjab: Santokh Singh Chaudhary, a Congress member, suffered a heart attack and passed out during the “Bharat Jodo Yatra” in Phillaur, Punjab.
He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died later. According to opposition leader Partap Singh Bajwa, Chaudhary was walking along with a fellow MP from Kerala when he suddenly fell unconscious.
The veteran politician suffered a massive cardiac arrest and was taken to Phagwara civil hospital, however, the effect of the attack was so severe that he couldn’t be saved.
Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary in charge of communications, took to Twitter and wrote, “Santokh Singh Chaudhury, 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 the schedule of the yatra which will be shared shortly.”
The Congress-led yatra commenced this Wednesday after a short winter break. Currently, the ongoing march has reached Punjab, where MP Santokh Singh Chaudhary, joined Rahul Gandhi from Fatehgarh Sahib.
Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge extended his condolences to the family of the Congress loyalist, and wrote, “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 organization. In this hour of grief, my heart goes out to his family, friends and followers. May his soul rest in peace.” Adding more stress to his writing the Congress Chief wrote, “a great blow to the party and organisation.”
As per the latest update, Gandhi has put a halt to the yatra and is likely to reach Chaudhary’s residence in Jalandhar.
Also Read: Rahul Gandhi Leads ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ amid Economic Turmoils
