TPE Correspondent
Chandigarh, December 21
SGPC former president and Senior Akali leader Avtar Singh Makkar (78) passed away after a brief illness at Fortis Hospital Gurgaon, late evening. He had headed the Sikh body for 11 years after an eventful two decades in the Akali Dal politics.
Makkar was the founder president of Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Model Town Extension, which remained hub of Akali politics in the city. Active in the local political circles, he was elected president of the district Akali jatha in 2002.
After unsuccessfully contesting the Assembly poll from Ludhiana North, he was elected 39th SGPC president in 2005. Makkar remained the second longest serving president of the SGPC (11 years) after Jathedar Gurcharan Singh Tohra.
