AAP MLA Dr. Kashmir Singh Sohal Passes Away at 62

Dr Sohal’s death has added to AAP’s growing list of byelections. Since the Bhagwant Mann government was formed in March 2022, this will be the seventh bypoll the ruling party faces in Punjab.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Tarn Taran, Dr Kashmir Singh Sohal, passed away in Amritsar on Thursday after a prolonged battle with esophageal (food pipe) cancer. He was 62.

A retired government doctor before joining politics, Dr Sohal was elected to the Punjab assembly in 2022 after he defeated Dharambir Agnihotri, a Congress veteran, in his maiden electoral contest.

He was known for his contribution to rural healthcare and education initiatives, particularly in the border area of Punjab.

Dr Sohal is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter, both of who are doctors.

With Dr Sohal’s passing away, the Election Commission is expected to announce the Tarn Taran bypoll within six months. The Tarn Taran segment, part of the politically sensitive Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha constituency, will be a key battleground for the AAP, Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).

Since the Bhagwant Mann government was formed in March 2022, six assembly byelections have taken place of which the AAP has won five.