Randeep Surjewala’s father Veteran Congress leader Shamsher Surjewala passes away
New Delhi/Chandigarh, Jan 20: Veteran Congress leader Shamsher Singh Surjewala passed away in Delhi on Monday following a prolonged illness.
He was 87.
Surjewala, father of party leader Randeep Surjewala, breathed his last at the AIIMS hospital in New Delhi this morning, family sources said.
His body was taken from AIIMS to Narwana in Haryana where his cremation was held later in the day. The funeral pyre was lit by his son.
Besides Randeep Surjewala, Shamsher is survived by his wife and two daughters.
Haryana Congress president Kumari Selja, former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, former union minister Chaudhary Birender Singh, former MP Deepender Singh Hooda and several Congress MLAs were present on the occasion.
Shamsher Singh Surjewala was a five-time MLA and one-time Rajya Sabha MP from Haryana. He was also the former president of the Haryana Congress and a four-time minister.
He was president of the Haryana Krishak Samaj and of the All India Kisan Congress, and he fought for the rights of farmers.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited AIIMS and met Randeep Surjewala to convey his condolences on Monday morning.
"In the passing of Shri Shamsher Singh Surjewala, we have lost a popular & respected Congressman who worked tirelessly in the service of India's farmers & the development of Haryana. My condolences to his family & friends. Om Shanti," Gandhi tweeted.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said he was saddened by the passing of Shamsher Singh Surjewala.
"My thoughts & prayers are with the family in this hour of grief," he tweeted.
The Haryana Assembly also paid tributes to the veteran Congress leader.
Both Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Hooda described S S Surjewala, a former Haryana Minister who breathed his last at AIIMS, Delhi, at the age of 87 following a prolonged illness, as an able and experienced leader.
Bhupinder Singh Hooda said he was saddened by the news.
"My tribute to the departed soul. May God give peace to his soul and strength to the family to bear this grief," he said.
"Deeply pained at the demise of former Haryana Congress chief, former Rajya Sabha MP and former Haryana minister Shamsher Singh Surjewala," Kumari Selja said.
"His passing away is a big loss and it will be difficult to fill the void. The state has lost an able politician, an icon of development and a great public servant," she said.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath have also condoled his demise.
In the passing of Shri Shamsher Singh Surjewala, we have lost a popular & respected Congressman who worked tirelessly in the service of India’s farmers & the development of Haryana. My condolences to his family & friends. Om Shanti.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 20, 2020
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Beauty of democracy: Tharoor congratulates BJP on civic body poll win in his constituency
New Delhi (PTI): Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday, while lauding the win of the UDF in Kerala local bodies elections, also congratulated the BJP for its historic performance in his Thiruvananthapuram constituency, calling it the "beauty of democracy".
In a post on X, he said the people's verdict must be respected, whether for the UDF overall or for the BJP in his constituency.
"What a day of amazing results in the Kerala local self-government elections! The mandate is clear, and the democratic spirit of the state shines through.
"A huge congratulations to @UDFKerala for a truly impressive win across various local bodies! This is a massive endorsement and a powerful signal ahead of the state legislative elections. Hard work, a strong message and anti-incumbency have all clearly paid off to achieve a much better result than in 2020," Tharoor said.
He said he also acknowledges the historic performance of the BJP in Thiruvananthapuram, and "offer humble congratulations on their significant victory in the city corporation - a strong showing that marks a notable shift in the capital's political landscape."
Tharoor said he campaigned for a change from 45 years of the LDF "misrule", but the voters have ultimately rewarded another party that also sought a clear change in governance.
"That is the beauty of democracy. The people's verdict must be respected, whether for the UDF overall or for the BJP in my constituency.
"We will continue to work for the betterment of Kerala, advocating for the people's needs and upholding the principles of good governance. Onwards and upwards!" Tharoor, who is the MP from Thiruvananthapuram, said.
The lotus bloomed in the state capital as the BJP-led NDA achieved a resounding win in the polls for the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, snatching it from the CPI(M)-led LDF and marking an end to 45 years of continuous Left rule in the local body.
The win in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation will act as a boost for the BJP in the 2026 Assembly polls, especially in the state capital.
Of the 101 wards in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, the BJP won 50, LDF 29, UDF 19 and two wards were won by independent candidates.
The BJP is one seat short of a decisive majority in the corporation.
Besides this, the NDA retained the Palakkad municipality after a close battle with the Congress-led UDF and wrested the Thrippunithura Municipality from the grand old party.
In Thrissur, from where Suresh Gopi won in the Lok Sabha polls last year, the BJP won 18 out of the 46 wards in Kodungallur Municipality, eight in Thrissur Corporation, two each in Guruvayoor and Vadakkancherry municipalities, seven in Kunnamkulam Municipality, six in Irinjalakuda Municipality and one in Chalakudy Municipality.
