Former Punjab minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan passes away

Tribune News Service

Gurdaspur, October 6

Former SAD minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan passed away at his Mohali residence on Wednesday evening after prolonged illness.

His close aide, Manjit Singh Dala, confirmed that Sekhwan had been indisposed for the last one month. “He was diagnosed with a liver ailment and was being treated by top doctors,” said Dala.

He is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters.

When Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal visited his residence to formally induct him in AAP last month, it was with much difficulty that Sekhwan met him. Kejriwal had to make his way to the Akali leader’s bedroom to confabulate with him.

He was one of the founding members of SAD (Taksali). He remained a two-time MLA from the erstwhile assembly seat of Kahnuwan falling in this district.

Sekhwan served as Education, Revenue, Rehabilitation and PR minister at various times in the Parkash Singh Badal Cabinet from 2007 till 2017. In 2009, he contested the by-poll from the Kahnuwan seat and was later inducted as a Cabinet minister.

He worked as a government teacher for 14 years before entering politics after his father, Ujagar Singh Sekhwan, died in 1990.

He was a serving SGPC member and was once even tipped to head the body. He also remained Chairman of the Punjab Technical Board.

A senior leader said Sekhwan enjoyed a good relationship with Parkash Singh Badal but was not on good terms with SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal.

His son, Jagrup Singh Sekhwan, has been made the AAP Halqa Incharge of Qadian assembly seat.

Dy CM Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Cabinet minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa expressed sympathies with the bereaved family.