Avtar Singh Brar passed away at PGIMER, Chandigarh, on Saturday after about three-weeks of illness.
He was under treatment in PGIMER since November 22 after suffering brain haemorrhage. Three-time Congress MLA, 77-year-old Avtar Singh had come a long way from being a primary school teacher to a senior Congress leader.
Though known as a party stalwart, he had switched sides to join the ruling SAD in October, 2013, after his political differences with Capt Amarinder Singh and Partap Singh Bajwa.
Known for his closeness with former President Giani Zail Singh, Brar had won Assembly elections from Faridkot in 1992, 1997 and 2007.
He lost in 2012 to SAD candidate Deep Malhotra by 2745 votes. Brar remained Education Minister from 1992 to 1997.
He had always credited Giani Zail Singh as his political mentor.
Starting his political career as a trade unionist, Brar had resigned from his teaching job to join the Congress in 1972.
He was elected president of the District Congress Committee in 1972 under the guidance of Giani Zail Singh and kept this post till 1994.
He contested his first election in 1977 against Parkash Singh Badal from the Faridkot Lok Sabha seat but lost.
Brar also remained as member of the All India Congress Committee. He was vice president of the Punjab Congress from 1997-2007.
Brar remained chief whip of the Punjab Congress Legislature Party from 1992 to 1997.
After over 41 years in the Congress, Brar had joined Akali Dal in October 2013due to his differences with Capt Amarinder Singh and Partap Singh Bajwa.
After joining the Akali Dal, the government appointed Brar as Chairman, PRTC.
While speaking to The Tribune about a month back, Brar was rueful for the forced decision to leave the Congress party.
“I wanted to die as a Congressman but for the humiliating behaviour I was subjected to by some senior party leaders, it was really painful for me to stay in the party,” he had lamented.
