"Manmohan Singh's name should not be linked to any party": BJP's Manjinder Sirsa
Jan 03, 2025
New Delhi [India], January 4 : BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Friday said that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's name should not be linked to any political party since his legacy transcended party lines and emphasized that his vision was always focused on the progress of the country, rather than political affiliation.
"All the party leaders see Manmohan Singh beyond any party. He was not bound to any party and he used to think about the progress of the country. He raised the country out of economic crisis and served as the Prime Minister for 10 years. So his name should not be linked to any party," said Manjinder Sirsa.
BJP leader Preneet Kaur also reminisced the late former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh as a gentle and polite human being.
"It is a huge loss for the whole nation. I was fortunate that I got to work with him. He was a very gentle and polite human being. I came today to pay my respects to a great personality," said Kaur.
Earlier in the day, the family of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held a 'Bhog' of the 'Akhand Path' kept in the memory of Singh at his residence.
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and the party's parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi were also present at Singh's residence.
Manmohan Singh passed away on December 26 at AIIMS Delhi at the age of 92. The ashes of Singh were immersed at the Yamuna Ghat near the Gurdwara Majnu Ka Tila Sahib in Delhi, a day after he was cremated with full state honours at Nigambodh Ghat.
The family of the late former PM performed rituals at the Gurudwara including Shabad Kirtan (musical recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib), Paath (recitation of Gurbani) and Ardas. Singh was cremated on December 28 with full state honours at the Nigambodh Ghat in Delhi's Kashmere Gate in the presence of his family, friends, colleagues and government dignitaries.
President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid their last respects to the former PM by placing a wreath near his mortal remains.
The last rites were carried out at the VIP Ghat as per the Sikh rituals.
Mallikarjun Kharge along with Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi were also present for the cremation ceremony after they paid tribute to the former Prime Minister.
Singh's political career spanned several decades, with notable positions including Finance Minister from 1991 to 1996, during which he spearheaded economic reforms that transformed India's economy. He served as the 13th Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014, succeeding Atal Bihari Vajpayee. His tenure is particularly remembered for his steady leadership during economic crises and his contributions to modernising India's economy.
After his second term, Singh retired from public life, having led India through a period of unprecedented growth and international recognition. He was succeeded by Narendra Modi in 2014 after the Congress-led UPA lost the general elections.