Leaders across the political spectrum on Friday arrived one by one at 3, Motilal Nehru Place, the residence of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, who passed away Thursday night, to pay their last respects.
From President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi to CPP chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Chief Ministers — the visitors met the grieving family members and offered floral tributes to the reformer and economist who pulled the country back from the brink of an economic collapse and put it on a path to become a regional economic dynamo.
The first to arrive at Dr Singh’s house around 10 am was Modi, who was accompanied by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief and Union Health Minister J P Nadda. Nadda had also visited AIIMS Thursday night, which announced Singh’s demise.
Modi paid floral tributes and left while Shah and Nadda stayed longer.
President Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar then arrived and met Singh’s wife and other family members and paid their last respects.
Sonia Gandhi, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi — who had paid a visit to Singh’s residence Thursday late night — and party’s general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, met Singh’s family members and paid their tributes.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was among those who paid floral tribute.
In the afternoon, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin arrived along with several key DMK leaders to pay his tribute. After offering his condolences to the family, Stalin left after 15 minutes.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and SP president Akhilesh Yadav also paid their last respects to Singh.
RSS Sah Sarkaryavah Alok Kumar laid a wreath. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said in a statement, “The entire nation is extremely saddened by the demise of former Prime Minister of Bharat and senior leader of the country Dr Sardar Manmohan Singh. …Dr Manmohan Singh, despite coming from a humble background, adorned the highest post in the country. Renowned economist Dr Singh’s contribution to Bharat will always be remembered and cherished.”
Among other prominent Congress leaders who paid their tributes were Shashi Tharoor, Sachin Pilot, Manish Tewari and Randeep Singh Surjewala.
Apart from the leaders, Congress workers came from various parts of the country to Singh’s residence to pay their respects.
With the central government announcing a seven-day national mourning, Congress general secretary K C Venugopal said, “At 8 am tomorrow, December 28, his mortal remains will be taken to the AICC headquarters where the public and Congress workers will have the opportunity to offer their tributes between 8.30 am and 9.30 am.”
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