Chandigarh: Prominent Shiromani Akali Dal leader and former Union Minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa passed away on Wednesday evening at a private hospital in Mohali. He was 89 and had been battling age-related health issues.

A family source confirmed that Dhindsa had been admitted to the hospital on Tuesday.

Dhindsa’s political legacy includes a long association with the Shiromani Akali Dal, and his representation of the Sangrur constituency in the Lok Sabha. Over the years, he held several key portfolios, notably serving as the Union Minister for Sports, Chemicals and Fertilisers in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government.

His son, Parminder Singh Dhindsa, has also been active in state politics and served as the finance minister in a previous Akali Dal-led Punjab Government.

Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa’s contribution to Punjab and national politics spanned decades, earning him recognition as one of the stalwarts of the Akali movement.