National: Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, along with senior party leaders, gathered at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in Delhi on Saturday, December 28, to pay their final respects to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The solemn event saw Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, and MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra leading tributes to the late leader.
Manmohan Singh’s mortal remains were placed at the AICC headquarters, allowing party workers and leaders to bid farewell to the towering statesman. Among the prominent attendees was Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal, who joined others in expressing condolences.
The former Prime Minister’s last rites are set to take place later today at Nigambodh Ghat in New Delhi. Ahead of the cremation, Mallikarjun Kharge urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to designate a site suitable for constructing a memorial to honor Singh’s contributions to the nation.
Responding to the request, Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed that the government would allocate space for the memorial and establish a trust to oversee its development. While the cremation will proceed today, plans for the memorial are expected to take shape soon.
Manmohan Singh, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 92 due to age-related health issues, was rushed to AIIMS, Delhi, after collapsing at his residence. He was declared dead upon arrival.
Widely regarded as the architect of India’s economic liberalization, Singh’s tenure as Finance Minister from 1991 to 1996 reshaped the country’s economic trajectory. As the 13th Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, he led India through global economic turbulence, championed modernization, and upheld a vision of inclusive growth. Singh’s passing marks the end of an era in Indian politics, leaving behind a legacy of visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to national progress.
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