BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh on Tuesday expressed deep grief and sorrow over the demise of former Punjab Chief Minister S. Prakash Singh Badal and described his death as a great loss to the nation.

In a condolence message, he recalled the qualities of head and heart of S Prakash Singh Badal and his selfless service to the nation in general and Punjab in particular. He said Badalji had a 40 years association with the BJP and during this period he worked with Atal Behari Vajpayee. Badalji was a visionary leader and an able administrator, he added.

“S Prakash Singh Badal always kept the nation first and remained in the forefront whenever the country faced challenges to its territorial integrity or suffered due to natural calamities. He also recalled his contribution in the freedom struggle of the country and tireless campaign during the 1975 emergency.

Describing Badalji’s death as a personal loss, Tarun Chugh, who is also BJP incharge for Jammu and Kashmir, said his death has created a great vacuum, which is hard to be filled.