CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister,  Parkash Singh Badal Saturday deeply mourned the untimely & tragic demise of Sahib Singh Verma former Union Labour Minister and Chief Minister of New Delhi.

Describing his death 'a great personal loss and a huge moment of grief for the poor and farming community',  Badal said that Verma championed the cause of poor and farming community for five decades and fought for their legitimate rights. He said that Verma was the rare example of 'down to earth politician' rooted to the basic values of political life. Recalling his personal association with Verma, Badal said that he had an ability to floor everyone with his humbleness and simplicity.

It may be added that the Chief Minister was about to leave for Bhuj to attend function of inauguration of College Building of an NGO SWABHIMAN run by Verma and he was to join  Badal at New Delhi for the function. Badal was stunned as he heard the news about his untimely demise while boarding the helicopter. The Chief Minister will now attend cremation of  Verma tomorrow at New Delhi.

The Chief Minister expressed heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family and prayed to god to give peace to the departed soul and strength to family to bear this irreparable loss.

Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, minsiter of Food and Civil Supplies, Bikram Singh Majithia, Information & Public Relations Minister, Punjab also expressed shock at the tragic death of  Sahib Singh Verma.
 
In a condolence issued here  Majithia said that in his death the Country has lost a rare politician who struggled throughout his life fighting for the rights of farmers and under privileged citizens of country. As a Union Labour Minister, the labour reforms initiated by him made him a 'hero of labour class', Majithia added.

Majithia expressed heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family and prayed to God to give peace to the departed soul and strength to family to bear this irreparable loss.

Kairon said that Verma was moderate leader of BJP and he had vision for the nation building. He said that he would be remembered for his love for the rural people.