Former Punjab Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Parkash Singh Badal has asked the state government and the Vidhan Sabha Speaker to divert his pension to some social work, "preferably to help some needy girl students in their education, as girls' education has always remained very close to his heart."

Badal, who has mentored thousands of "daughters" by personally ensuring their entire education, stated, "They have a claim on me as they have always enriched my life with the warmth that only daughters can provide. Even in the most difficult times of my life, their love has given me strength."

Badal said that he had never received a pension in his life as he had always been an active legislator.

Meanwhile, the former CM denied rumours that he had previously received crores of rupees in pension as a result of his 11-year tenure as a legislator.

Parkash Singh Badal was defeated from his home constituency Lambi in the recently-concluded Punjab assembly polls by Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP's) Gurmeet Singh Khuddian.

Badal (94) has been MLA for 11 times and won his first election from Malout seat in 1957. He had won the Gidderbaha seat five times — 1969, 1972, 1977, 1980 and 1985. Thereafter, he switched over to Lambi and won it five times in a row, in 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012 and 2017.

(With inputs from agencies)