New Delhi:
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday condoled the death of former Haryana chief minister Bhajan Lal and described him as a nationalist and a respected leader.
The political stalwart died in Hisar in Haryana on Friday following a heart attack at the age of 80. He was cremated at Adampur town on Saturday.
In his condolence message to Bhajan Lal's wife Jasma Devi, prime minister said that he "contributed immensely to the process of nation building during his long and distinguished career in public service".
Bhajan Lal was the chief minister of Haryana for three terms and was an MP from Hisar.
"He was elected for the first time to the Haryana assembly in 1968. He was made a minister in state government of Haryana two years later. Subsequently he rose to become the chief minister of Haryana for two terms," he said.
"In all the public positions he held, Bhajan Lal distinguished himself as an able and committed administrator. In Bhajan Lal's death, we have lost a nationalist and a respected leader, who worked tirelessly for the welfare of Haryana and the country," he said.
"We have lost a leader who was selflessly devoted to the cause of the poor and the underprivileged," he added.