Last rites of Kalyan Singh performed with full state honours

Narora (Bulandshahr): Last rites of former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh were performed with full state honours at the banks of River Ganga here on Monday in the presence of several union ministers and other dignitaries.

Amid chanting of "Jai Shree Ram" and reciting of mantras, the cremation of the departed leader was performed at the Bansi Ghat where Kalyan Singh's son and BJP MP from Etah Rajveer Singh lit the pyre. Rajveer was assisted by his son and UP minister Sandeep Singh.

The family members and supporters of Kalyan Singh participated in the cremation with their moist eyes.

Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani, Ashwani Choubey, Ajay Bhatt, Mahendra Nath Pandey, UP governor Anandiben Patel, UP CM Yogi Adityanath, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, UP deputy CM Keshav Maurya, UP BJP president Swatantra Dev Singh along with others offered "Ahuti" during cremation.

Earlier these leaders along with former Union minister Uma Bharati and several UP ministers and Senior BJP leaders paid floral tribute at the cremation site.

Around 20 priests performed the rituals which went on for around 30 minutes and the pyre was lit at around 1600 hours.

The security forces also gave guard of honour before the body was taken for cremation.

Earlier, the funeral procession from Atrauli to Narora, covering around 29 kms took over 2 hours as people blocked the roads at several places to pay their respect to the great leader of the region.

Every eye was desperate for the last sight. People had reached the road from nearby villages. Women also stood by the side of the road.

At a few places security forces had a hard time to clear the road.

In the morning at Atrauli, Union Home Minister Amit Shah along with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reached there to pay the last respect.

Mr Shah, after paying homage to former CM Kalyan Singh said that, "I had talked to Babuji, the day the foundation stone of Ram temple was laid. He said that the goal of his life has been fulfilled. Babuji's entire life was devoted to the development of UP and the poor people. Gave better direction to the country and presented a new momentum for development."

"Death of Babuji has left a vaccum in the BJP which cannot be filled for a long time. Babuji used to play his full political role even though he was not in active politics for a long time. The youths also consider Babuji as their role model. He will always be the source of inspiration for BJP," Mr Shah added.

MP CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan too paying his condolence said that Kalyan was was a real hero of the Ramjanambhoomi movement." His sacrifice would be remembered forever," he added.

The body of former Chief Minister Kalyan Singh has been brought from Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar Stadium in Aligarh to his native village in Atrauli. His body was kept in the annexe building in Atrauli.

Kalyan Singh breathed his last at the SGPGIMS in Lucknow on Saturday night due to sepsis and multi organ failure after 48 days of hospitalization. He was 89. UP government has announced a three-day state mourning and has declared Monday as a public holiday.

On Sunday, Prime minister Narendra Modi rushed to Lucknow to pay his tribute to Kalyan Singh. Rajnath Singh too paid his tribute to former CM.

Yesterday, the mortal remains were taken to the UP assembly and state BJP office from the residence of Kalyan Singh before reaching Aligarh where it was kept at the Ahilya Bai Holkar stadium for people to have darshan. (UNI)