Former Union Minister and Congress leader Buta Singh, 86, passes away

Buta Singh was in coma since October last year after he suffered a brain hemorrhage. He died at 86 at 5:30 am on Saturday.

Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Buta Singh who was 86 years old, took his last breath at around 5:30 am. He suffered brain a hemorrhage after which he was in coma since October last year. His son, Arvinder Singh Lovely Sidhu wrote on his Facebook account about the demise of his father.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of Mr Singh by tweeting," Shri Buta Singh Ji was an experienced administrator and effective voice for the welfare of the poor as well as the downtrodden. Saddened by his passing away. My condolences to his family and supporters." Tributes poured in from several leaders including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, President Ram Nath Kovind, Rajasthan's CM Ashok Gehlot, politician Kuldeep Bishnoi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and West Bengal's CM Mamata Banerjee.

Rahul Gandhi tweeted in Hindi," The country has lost a true public servant and a loyal leader with the death of Sardar Buta Singh Ji. He devoted his entire life to service of the country and people's well-being. For this, he will always be remembered. My condolences to his family members during this difficult time."

Buta Singh was a member of Shiromani Akali Dal before joining the Indian National Congress in 1960s. Mr Singh was a nine- time legislator and was first elected to the Parliament in 1962. He served as the Union Home Minister from 1986 to 1989 when Rajiv Gandhi was was the Prime Minister of India. He also served as the Union Agriculture Minister and was the chairperson of the National Commission for Scheduled Caste from 2007 to 2010.