Punjab leaders mourn Vinod Khanna's demise

Several Punjab leaders including Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, former CM Parkash Singh Badal, state BJP chief Vijay Sampla, today expressed grief over the demise of actor-politician Vinod Khanna.
Khanna, the veteran Bollywood star and Gurdaspur BJP MP, died of cancer at a Mumbai hospital this morning.
In his condolence message, the Chief Minister recalled the contribution of Khanna in the overall development of Punjab's border areas, especially the Gurdaspur district.
"In the death of Vinod Khanna, Indian polity has been deprived of a fine politician and a great human being, as well as a powerful actor. The void left by him will be hard to fill," Amarinder said.

Extending his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family, the Chief Minister said he prayed to the Almighty to give them courage to bear this tragic loss and to grant peace to the departed soul.
Shiromani Akali Dal patron and former CM Parkash Singh Badal and his son and the SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal expressed shock at the demise of the Gurdaspur MP.

"Vinod Khanna ji will be always remembered for the stellar role played by him in constructing bridges on the Beas and Ravi rivers. This was a real boon for the people of Gurdaspur and neighbouring areas", the former CM said.

Sukhbir said in the death of Vinod Khanna, he had lost an elder associate who was always positive in his outlook and had a zeal for serving the people as well as his mother state Punjab.
He said Khanna's death had left a void in Gurdaspur constituency which would be difficult to fill.
Union minister and Punjab BJP chief Vijay Sampla while extending his heartfelt condolences said Khanna's death was a big loss to the party.
Sampla said, "Vinod Khanna was not only a actor par excellence but he was also a mass leader who was sensitive towards the poor and needy."

"Khanna was a dedicated leader who worked hard for the party. His death is an irreparable loss to the BJP and his contributions to the party and society will always be remembered. I pray that his departed soul may rest in peace," he said.
Meanwhile, because of the death of BJP MP Vinod Khanna, Punjab BJP's state executive which was scheduled for April 30, has been postponed,
The state Secretary BJP Punjab, Vineet Joshi, said now the state executive is rescheduled to be held on May 14 at Ludhiana.
Punjab Assembly Speaker Rana Kanwar Pal Singh has also expressed grief over the demise of Khanna.

Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu termed the death of Vinod Khanna as a colossal loss not only for Punjab but for the entire nation.
In a statement here today, the Minister said Vinod Khanna was like his elder brother from whom he imbibed the clean and honest political values.
He further said that Khanna was in himself an institution of films and was a source of pride for Punjabis.
He also said that Khanna was one of those rare gems who made it big in political arena also and served as Lok Sabha MP four times.

Aam Aadmi Party state convener, Gurpreet Singh Waraich 'Ghuggi' said, "Vinod Khanna was one of the finest actors of his time and a generous politician but above all he was gentle soul. Indian cinema will always miss a superstar who was known for his own style of acting. As a politician, he served the people of Gurdaspur with his humbleness.