Several political leaders paid condolences to former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh who passed away due to sepsis and multi-organ failure in Lucknow on Saturday. He was 89.
Kalyan Singh was admitted to the ICU of Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI) on July 4 in a critical condition.
After his arrival in Lucknow, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid his last respects to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veteran and former Chief Minister Kalyan Singh, saying that he devoted his life to public welfare.
“I had the last darshan of Kalyan Singh ji, who was devoted to public welfare throughout his life. Met his family members. May Lord Shri Ram give strength to his family members to bear this immense loss,” tweeted PM Modi. “This is a time of mourning for all of us. Kalyan Singh ji’s parents named him Kalyan Singh. He lived life in such a way that he lived up to the name given to him by his parents. He lived for the welfare of the people throughout his life. He made public welfare his life-mantra,” according to a release by the Prime Minister Office (PMO).
“Kalyan Singh ji always worked for the welfare of the people. Whenever he got a responsibility, whether it was as a legislator, whether it was his place in the government, whether it was the responsibility of the governor, he was always the centre of inspiration for everyone. He was a symbol of faith of the common man,” the statement said.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) senior leader Lal Krishna Advani on Sunday, also condoled the demise of former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Kalyan Singh stating that Singh was a “grassroots leader” who worked for the upliftment of the weaker sections.
Advani also said that Singh’s demise has left a huge void. In his condolence message, the veteran BJP leader said: “I am deeply saddened to condole the passing away of my close associate Kalyan Singh ji, former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. A stalwart of Indian politics and a grassroots leader, Kalyan Singh ji became the Chief Minister of the first-ever BJP government of Uttar Pradesh. He endeared himself to the masses by working tirelessly for the upliftment of the weaker sections and contributed greatly to the overall progress of the state.”
Union minister Rajnath Singh said that with the demise of former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh, he had lost a “big brother and a companion”.
“Kalyan Singh’s demise has caused irreparable loss. We shared an old relationship. I’ve known him since I was elected as MLA in 1977 when he became UP Health Minister. It’s difficult to decide whether he was a leader, big brother or friend,” the defence minister said on Sunday.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also paid his last respects to BJP veteran and the former Chief Minister of the state Kalyan Singh at the latter’s residence here in Lucknow.
Additional Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh’s Home Department Awanish Awasthi told reporters: “PM Modi will be visiting Kalyan Singh’s residence.”
Former chief minister and BSP chief Mayawati also paid her tributes at Singh’s residence at Lucknow’s Mall Avenue this morning.
“Kalyan Singh Ji worked for the backward class. BSP condoles his demise,” Mayawati told media personnel here.
The mortal remains of Singh will be brought to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly at 11am and will be shifted to the BJP Office at 12.30pm where it will be kept till 2:30 pm for people to pay their last respects, the state additional secretary said.
“After that, the mortal remains will be taken to Aligarh where people will be able to pay last respects at a stadium. From there mortal remains will be taken to Atrauli. He will be cremated on Monday at banks of river Ganga in Narora,” the ACS said.