Missed by both his friends, rivals

MLA West Gurpreet Gogi’s untimely death has disturbed the Ludhiana’s political scene. It has created a void which cannot be filled.

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Not only Gogi’s friends and family but his rivals were also seen mourning his death, saying they have lost a dear friend and an idealistic leader.

Senior Congress leaders Bharat Bhushan Ashu and Sanjay Talwar and other Congress leaders went to his house today to pay last respects to the AAP leader.

President of the District Congress Committee, Sanjay Talwar said he was still in shock and could not believe what has actually happened.

“He might have parted ways from the Congress but still, he used to say that he would always remain a Congress man by heart. He was like a brother to me and I have fond memories of visiting his house and never thought I would have to visit his house like this. Ludhiana today lost a visionary leader and I lost my friend-like brother. He has great dreams for the city and would often discuss these with me. On Thursday, we had a word over the phone regarding the Mayor elections. He will be missed deeply,” he said.

Former MLA Bharat Bhushan Ashu said Gogi was a great person and would be missed. “He always used to talk about Ludhiana and how improvements can be made in the city. He parted ways from the Congress but was always a good friend,” he said.

Shahi Imam of Punjab also paid a visit to Gogi’s house.

“He always had a smiling face and even during a serious situation, he used to share some light moments. I am in shock and still can’t believe that he is no more,” he said.

Gogi is survived by wife Dr Sukhchain Kaur Bassi and son Vishvas Bassi. His family resides in Ghumar Mandi.

The AAP leader was known to be fond of antiques, vintage and luxury cars and old and new weapons. He owned a gun house, a hostel, taxi service and a driving school. He used to collect cars, two-wheelers, weapons, coins and postal stamps.

Gogi started his political career with the Congress as a party worker in 1996. He contested his first Ludhiana Municipal Corporation elections in 2002. He was elected councillor four times and went on to become Congress’ Ludhiana district president. Before joining AAP in 2022, Gogi was part of the Congress for 23 years. His wife has also been a councillor once. His wife also fought the recently held MC elections but lost to INC’s Parminder Kaur Indi.

It was in 2018 that he won the election for the post of councillor for the last time during which the Congress won 62 of the 95 seats. He was a strong contender for the post of Mayor but Balkar Singh Sandhu, a close aide of Bharat Bhushan Ashu, was given the post. After this, he started distancing himself from the party and ultimately left the Congress before the Assembly elections in 2022 and joined AAP. He fought from the West constituency against Bharat Bhushan Ashu and won the elections and became the MLA, though he did not got any rank.

During the Congress government, Gogi was given the responsibility of the Chairman of the Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation (PSIEC). In the past, he was also the district president of the Congress, from 2014 to 2019.

Post-mortem examination conducted at DMCH

The post-mortem examination of MLA West Gurpreet Bassi Gogi was conducted at the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) here. A panel of five doctors from the Civil Hospital conducted the autopsy at the DMCH as he was brought here on Friday night after the accidental shooting incident.

According to the autopsy report, the bullet went through the temple of Gogi. It was shot from the right side and the bullet came out from the left side.

A source from the hospital said instead of shifting the body to the Civil Hospital, it was decided to call the team of doctors to the DMCH due to security reasons. The administration wanted to avoid the hassle of shifting the body, which could have also led to traffic congestion as a huge rush was expected to reach the DMCH and the Civil Hospital as well.

An official from the Health Department said the police were investigating the case.