Former Punjab Chief Minister Surjit Singh Barnala Dies At 91

 Former Punjab Chief Minister Surjit Singh Barnala Dies At 91 CHANDIGARH:  Former Punjab Chief Minister Surjit Singh Barnala, who took over reins of the state in the difficult period when militancy was at its peak in the mid-80s, died here today at the age of 91. Mr Barnala, who served as Chief Minister from 1985 to 1987, was admitted to the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education

and Research (PGIMER) here on Thursday. Born on October 21, 1925 in Ateli village of Haryana, Mr Barnala graduated in law from Lucknow before entering politics.

A moderate leader of the Akali Dal, he became chief minister after the Punjab accord to usher in peace in the troubled state.

Mr Barnala was admitted to the Cardiac Care Unit of PGIMER and was shifted this morning to respiratory ICU where he breathed his last.

As Governor of Tamil Nadu, Mr Barnala had famously refused to recommend dismissal of the DMK government in 1991 when the late Chandrashekhar was the Prime Minister for a short time.

When he was transferred to Bihar following his refusal, he chose to resign as Governor.

The government headed by Chandrashekhar then dismissed the Karunanidhi ministry using the "otherwise" provision in Article 356 of the Constitution after Mr Barnala's refusal to make a recommendation.

He had also served as Governor of Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Mr Barnala was Agriculture Minister at the Centre in the Moraji Desai government and Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Cabinet.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal condoled the death of the former senior Akali Dal leader.