‘Saddened beyond words’ says PM Modi as tributes pour on the demise of former UP CM Kalyan Singh

‘Saddened beyond words’ says PM Modi as tributes pour in for former UP CM Kalyan Singh

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today paid his last respect today to Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh, who breathed his last here on Saturday night at the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI) in Lucknow.

In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister expressed great grief and said,” I am saddened beyond words. Kalyan Singh Ji…statesman, veteran administrator, grassroots level leader, and great human. He leaves behind an indelible contribution towards the development of Uttar Pradesh.”

Speaking to the media after paying his last respects to the former UP CM at his residence here, PM Modi said,” Kalyan Singh Ji made ‘Jan Kalyan’ his life mantra …. He worked for the development of Uttar Pradesh and the nation.”

Kalyan Singh Ji made ‘Jan Kalyan’ his life mantra …. He worked for the development of Uttar Pradesh and the nation: PM @narendramodi after having paid last respects to former UP Chief Minister Kalyan Singh. pic.twitter.com/nLEMrfNY4u

— Prasar Bharati News Services पी.बी.एन.एस. (@PBNS_India) August 22, 2021

“I have no words in this time of sorrow. Kalyan Singh ji was the owner of a great personality along with being a great politician and an efficient administrator associated with the land. His contribution to the development of Uttar Pradesh is indelible,” read of the tweets of PM Modi.

Several other leaders also paid tribute to the veteran leader including Union Minister for I&B and Youth Affairs & Sports Anurag Thakur, who said,” It is very sad to see the former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, an efficient administrator, a senior leader of the party, respected Shri Kalyan Singh ji leaving us in this way.”

Defence Minister also paid his last tributes to Kalyan Singh and said his demise is an irreparable loss to Indian politics. My heartfelt tributes to him.The political vacuum created by Babuji’s departure is impossible to fill.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman took to twitter and said, “Saddened by the demise of Shri. Kalyan Singh, former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. He worked for the betterment of backward classes, youth and women.
Dedicated to serving the nation, he was a good administrator.”

Interacting with media, Home Minister Amit Shah said, “Crores of people across the country including me are in pain due to the demise of Kalyan Singh. He was a senior BJP leader & hero of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. He fought for the rights of the backward communities for many years.”

Meanwhile, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has declared a 3-day state mourning to condole the demise of Kalyan Singh. His last rites will be performed on the bank of Ganga in Narora on the evening of August 23.

*Kalyan Singh: The towering statesman*

Born on January 5, 1932, former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh headed the first-ever Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Uttar Pradesh (UP) in 1991.

Referred to as “Babuji”, Kalyan Singh played a key role in BJP’s rise in Uttar Pradesh.

In 1998, He was elected for the second term of Chief Minister and dominated the politics of UP for a brief period.

In 2014 after being appointed governor of Rajasthan, Kalyan Singh in his first meeting with vice-chancellors, had ordered them to adopt villages, which was considered as the breakthrough point in Indian governance.