'In the death of Mr. Brar, the state has lost a balanced and experienced leader, who stood for politics of consensus and held the opposition in high esteem, always opting for the path of conciliation rather than confrontation,' Badal said in a statement.

The Punjab government has declared a three-day period of mourning from Sunday.

A spokesman said that Brar would be accorded a state funeral Monday at his native village, Sarai Naga in Muktsar district, 300 km from here.