GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday accused the Congress of trying to stir an argument over the cremation of former prime minister Manmohan Singh, regardless of the Centre saying a “becoming memorial” to honour his legacy. Sarma mentioned it was not the primary time that the Congress has “proven such disregard – be it in the direction of the legacy of Narasimha Rao or Pranab Mukherjee, the social gathering has, sadly, handled its personal with indifference”.
The CM’s remarks got here after the Congress accused the Centre of insulting Singh, the nation’s first Sikh prime minister, by performing his final rites at Nigambodh Ghat as a substitute of a delegated spot that could possibly be changed into his memorial. Chief of Opposition within the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi had mentioned the BJP-led Centre had “completely insulted” Singh by performing his final rites at Nigambodh Ghat.
The BJP maintained that the federal government below Prime Minister Narendra Modi had allotted area for Singh’s memorial and likewise knowledgeable his household about it, and accused the Congress of indulging in “low cost politics” over the previous PM’s cremation. “Dr Manmohan Singh, a statesman of unparalleled dignity and mind, deserved a lot better, each in life and in dying. It’s deeply disheartening to witness the Congress Celebration trying to stir controversy round his remaining journey, diminishing the solemnity it really deserved,” Sarma mentioned in a publish on X.
The BJP chief mentioned the folks of India have bid Singh, who was a Rajya Sabha MP from Assam for over twenty years, together with throughout his tenure as PM, a respectful and heartfelt farewell, recognising his invaluable contributions to the nation. “Prime Minister @narendramodi Ji has already introduced a becoming memorial to honour his legacy, reflecting the nation’s gratitude. But, the actions of some, who search to show this second of mourning into a chance for political acquire, are deeply painful,” Sarma mentioned.
“The general public nonetheless remembers the indignities inflicted upon Dr Singh throughout his tenure, together with Rahul Gandhi’s notorious gestures that undermined his stature. Such actions stay etched within the nation’s reminiscence,” he mentioned. Sarma, who was with the Congress earlier than becoming a member of the saffron social gathering, asserted that after his dying, Singh’s “legacy shouldn’t be sullied by political opportunism”.
“Allow us to honour his reminiscence with the dignity and respect he so richly deserves, free from any discord or manipulation by the management of the congress social gathering,” the CM added.
