Nand Lal, a four-time Congress MLA and former Special Protection Group (SPG) officer who served on the security detail of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, was cremated on Tuesday in his native village of Deothi, Rampur.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that Nand Lal, aged 72, who also held the positions of former Chief Parliamentary Secretary and Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh State Finance Commission, passed away on Monday following a prolonged illness.
A prominent figure in Shimla district’s Rampur constituency, a traditional Congress stronghold, Nand Lal represented the reserved seat for four consecutive terms. His electoral victories were recorded in 2007, 2012, 2017, and 2022. Rampur, which is also the hometown of six-time Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, has historically been a bastion of the Congress party.
Nand Lal entered the political arena in 2007 after taking voluntary retirement from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). During his tenure with the SPG, he was an integral part of Sonia Gandhi’s security team. This association reportedly played a significant role in shaping his subsequent political career. Prior to his political foray, he had also commanded an ITBP battalion in the insurgency-affected region of Kashmir during his service.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu attended the cremation ceremony in Rampur on Tuesday. He extended his condolences to Nand Lal’s wife and son, and laid a wreath on his body. The cremation was attended by a large number of people, including several ministers, MLAs, senior Congress leaders, and residents from the Rampur area.
Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Sukhu described the void left by Nand Lal’s demise as irreparable. He characterized the former MLA as a soft-spoken and humble individual who articulated his views with great logic. The Chief Minister recounted his last meeting with Nand Lal at Chamiyana Hospital, noting that doctors had informed him of the former MLA’s low blood pressure, a day before his passing.
Chief Minister Sukhu further acknowledged Nand Lal’s significant contributions to the development of Rampur, particularly in the establishment of infrastructure facilities within the constituency. He conveyed his and his government’s condolences to the bereaved family during this time of grief.
Nand Lal’s political career began after his service in central security forces. His representation of the Rampur constituency saw him become a key figure in state politics. The ITBP, where he served prior to his political career, is a central armed police force responsible for guarding India’s borders with China, Nepal, and Bhutan.
The Rampur constituency, located in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh, is known for its scenic beauty and its role as a cultural centre. The area has a significant agricultural base and is a popular destination for tourism. Nand Lal’s tenure as MLA was marked by his focus on local development issues and his efforts to improve the lives of his constituents.
His service with the SPG, a specialized unit responsible for the close protection of the Prime Minister and their immediate family, as well as former Prime Ministers and their families, provided him with extensive experience in high-security environments. This background is understood to have influenced his approach to public service and his commitment to his electorate.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
