Kalyan Singh lived for public welfare: Modi
The country has lost a valuable personality and a capable leader, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday, paying tribute to former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh, who formed the Bharatiya Janata Party’s first government in the state in 1991, who died of sepsis and multi-organ failure in Lucknow late on Saturday.
Singh, who formed the Bharatiya Janata Party’s first government in the state in 1991, had been undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit of the SGPGIMS in UP since July 4. On Friday, his condition deteriorated, following which he was placed on dialysis. He was 89.
As tributes poured in for the BJP stalwart from across party lines, PM Modi, along with BJP national chief JP Nadda, Union defence minister Rajnath Singh, UP governor Anandiben Patel and UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath, reached Singh’s residence on Sunday to pay their last respects. “His parents named him Kalyan and he lived up to his name... The country has lost a valuable personality and a capable leader...,” Modi told reporters after paying his tributes at the Mal Avenue residence of Kalyan Singh’s grandson Sandip Singh.
“He lived his entire life for public welfare. He made ‘jan kalyan’ as the mantra of his life, and dedicated his life to the BJP...”
Speaking to reporters, Rajnath Singh said, “We used to tell him (Kalyan) that we are ‘bhootpoorv’ (former) chief minister, you are ‘abhootpoorv’ (unprecedented) chief minister, on which he used to laugh. I have seen him as an elder brother.”
Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also mourned Singh’s death.
“He was a tall leader who was always connected to his roots. He faced various struggles and hardships but always battled them...,” Mayawati said after paying her respects.
“He had a special place in the politics of the state. He would always be remembered as an able administrator. His demise has left a void in politics,” Akhilesh Yadav said in a statement.
Singh’s body was later shifted from his residence to UP Vidhan Bhavan and later to the office of the state BJP, where thousands paid their last respects.
On Sunday evening, the body was taken to Aligarh, Singh’s home district, and kept at a local stadium. According to people aware of the developments, Singh’s mortal remains would also be kept in the leader’s hometown Atrauli, and his last rites will be performed with full state honours in Narora town, around 60 kilometres from Aligarh, on Monday. UP has announced three-day mourning and a holiday on Monday.