Punjab Newsline | Rampur Bushahr

Senior Congress leader and four-time Rampur MLA Nand Lal passed away on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at the age of 72. His demise has plunged Rampur and adjoining areas of Shimla district into mourning.

Nand Lal had a distinguished journey from government service to politics. Before entering electoral politics, he served in the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and also had experience working with the Special Protection Group (SPG). After taking voluntary retirement from government service, he joined the Congress and began his political career.

A condolence and tribute program will be organised at the Rampur Circuit House at 3 pm on Tuesday, where Congress leaders, party workers and local residents will pay their last respects and remember his contribution to public life.

As per the scheduled program, his mortal remains will be taken to his native village, Devthi, at 5 pm, where his last rites will be performed.

Meanwhile, in view of his demise, the administration has postponed the scheduled activities of the International Lavi Fair-2026 for November 3 and 4. His death has left a deep void in Rampur politics, with a large number of people expected to attend his final farewell.

Born on April 16, 1954, in Devthi village of Rampur Bushahr, Nand Lal completed his postgraduation in Political Science from Himachal Pradesh University. Following his education, he joined the ITBP and later served in security-related assignments, including the commando unit and the SPG.

He contested his first Assembly election from Rampur in 2007 and defeated BJP candidate Brij Lal by 6,470 votes. He continued his winning streak in the subsequent elections, securing victory by 9,471 votes in 2012 and 4,037 votes in 2017. In the 2022 Assembly elections, he retained the seat by a narrow margin of 567 votes, completing four consecutive electoral victories.

After becoming an MLA, Nand Lal was appointed Chief Parliamentary Secretary in 2013. He also served on various Assembly committees. Following his fourth consecutive victory in 2022, he was appointed Chairman of the Assembly's Welfare Committee.

In March 2024, the Himachal Pradesh government appointed him Chairman of the Seventh State Finance Commission, granting him the status of a Cabinet Minister. He was also considered a close associate of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh.