Himachal Congress leader GS Bali dies at 67

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, October 30

Himachal Congress leader GS Bali died in New Delhi on Friday night.

He was 67.

He had undergone a kidney transplant and was admitted to AIIMS in New Delhi following post-operation complications.

His son and AICC secretary RS Bali took to Facebook to break the news.

His body will be brought to Kangra on Saturday.

Bali was a four-time MLA from Nagrota Bagwan and remained a minister in the Congress government from 2003 to 2007 and from 2012 to 2017.

Leader of opposition in state Assembly Mukesh Agnihotri expressed grief on Bali's demise.

In a Facebook post, he said Bali's body would be brought to Himachal Pradesh and kept for 'antim darshan' for the public.

Born on July 27, 1954 in Kangra, Gurmukh Singh Bali was a diploma holder in mechanical engineering.

He served as the food supply, transport and technical education minister in the Congress governments.

A founder president of Himachal Nagrik Sudhar Sabha, Bali was vice chairman and later chairman of the Himachal Social Bodies Federation.

He was the Convener of the Indian National Congress Vichar Manch from 1990 to 1997.

He was also president of the Congress Seva Dal from 1995 to 1998 and the joint secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee from 1993 to 1998.

His body will be flown to Dharamsala on Saturday evening and the last rites will be performed in Chamunda Dham on Sunday, according to family sources.

His son said: “With a very sad heart, I have to inform you that my father and your dear Shri GS Bali ji is no more. Last night he breathed his last at AIIMS in Delhi. My father always used to say, whether GS Bali is in the world or not, he will always be in the hearts of his supporters. His ideals and guidance will always remain in our hearts.” With PTI