New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leaders across the political spectrum mourned the demise of former prime minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday night.
Singh, 92, passed away at AIIMS, New Delhi. The former PM died of age-related medical conditions, the AIIMS said in a statement.
Apart from Murmu and Modi, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy, Tamil Nadu chief minister M.K. Stalin, and NC leader Omar Abdullah were among those who paid tributes to Singh
Union ministers Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari and Dharmendra Pradhan, RJD Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha, Shiv Sena UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Congress leader Sachin Pilot also expressed their condolences to the bereaved.
“Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh Ji was one of those rare politicians who also straddled the worlds of academia and administration with equal ease. In his various roles in public offices, he made critical contributions to reforming Indian economy. He will always be remembered for his service to the nation, his unblemished political life and his utmost humility,” Murmu posted on ‘X’.
PM Modi recollected his interactions with Singh. “Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji and I interacted regularly when he was PM and I was the CM of Gujarat. We would have extensive deliberations on various subjects relating to governance. His wisdom and humility were always visible,” he posted on ‘X’. “In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the family of Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji, his friends and countless admirers. Om Shanti.”
The PM also shared pictures of him with Singh from over the years.
Kharge was poignant in his message as he paid tribute to his senior party colleague. “Undoubtedly, history shall judge you kindly, Dr. Manmohan Singh ji! With the passing of the Former Prime Minister, India has lost a visionary statesman, a leader of unimpeachable integrity, and an economist of unparalleled stature. His policy of Economic Liberalisation and Rights-based welfare paradigm profoundly transformed the lives of crores of Indians, virtually creating a Middle Class in India and lifting crores out of poverty,” he posted on ‘X’.
“I mourn the loss of a lifelong senior colleague, a gentle intellectual and a humble soul who embodied the aspirations of India, having risen through the ranks with unwavering dedication,” Kharge posted.
In his message, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that he had “lost a mentor and guide”. “Manmohan Singh Ji led India with immense wisdom and integrity. His humility and deep understanding of economics inspired the nation. My heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Kaur and the family. I have lost a mentor and guide. Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the utmost pride,” he wrote on ‘X’.
