CHANDIGARH: Tota Singh, a senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former Punjab minister, died on Saturday at a private hospital in Mohali after a protracted illness.

In the Akali government, Singh was the agriculture and education minister. He was a member of the SAD's core committee and senior vice president. He was also a Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee member.

In 1997, Singh was elected for the first time as a legislator from the Moga Assembly seat. At the time, he was appointed as education minister in the Parkash Singh Badal-led government. In the 2002 Assembly elections, he was re-elected from Moga, but he lost in 2007. In 2012, Singh was elected as the Agriculture Minister from the Dharamkot Assembly constituency. Singh, on the other hand, lost the 2017 and 2022 assembly elections.

Sukhbir Singh Badal, the chief of the SAD, expressed his sorrow at Singh's death. "I was heartbroken to read of the death of prominent Akali leader Jathedar Tota Singh Ji. For me, Jathedar sahab was a father figure and an inspiration to all of us. His insightful wisdom and invaluable advise will always be missed. In this hour of sadness, I stand with the Brar family," Badal tweeted.

Tota Singh's death was also mourned by Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring. Warring tweeted, "My sincere condolences on the tragic passing of renowned Akali leader, Jathedar Tota Singh Ji.'

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