Chandigarh, Jan. 14 (PTI): Surjit Singh Barnala, who almost became Prime Minister in the mid-90s but for his party ditching him, died here today. He was 91.

Barnala was a moderate Akali politician and played a role in the 1985 Rajiv-Longowal Accord that catapulted him to the chief minister's seat in Punjab (1985-87) during its worst period of militancy.

Barnala was a candidate of the BJP and its allies for Vice-President in 1997. The year before, he almost emerged consensus candidate for Prime Minister of the United Front. But the Akali Dal did not back him, choosing to go with the BJP that had just lost power after 13 days in government.

Painter, politician and author, Barnala held various posts, including governor and Union minister, several times.

As governor of Tamil Nadu, Barnala had famously refused to recommend dismissal of the DMK government in 1991 when Chandra Shekhar was Prime Minister. When he was transferred to Bihar following his refusal, he resigned.

Barnala was admitted to hospital on Thursday. He is survived by his wife, Surjit Kaur, and two sons.