Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh): Senior BJP leader and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh, who was ailing for some time, died at the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI) here on Saturday night.
Kalyan Singh was admitted to the hospital on July 4 following the deterioration in his health condition. "Former Chief Minister of UP and Ex-Governor of Rajasthan Kalyan Singh Ji breathed his last today. He was admitted to SGPGI on July 4 in the Intensive Care Unit in critical condition. He died due to sepsis and multi-organ failure," said a statement by the hospital.
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Tributes poured in for the prominent backward caste leader with Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailing the two-time Uttar Pradesh chief minister's "indelible contribution" towards the development of the state and the "cultural regeneration" of India. " I am saddened beyond words. Kalyan Singh Ji…statesman, veteran administrator, grassroots level leader & great human. He leaves behind an indelible contribution towards the development of Uttar Pradesh. Spoke to his son Rajveer Singh and expressed condolences. Om Shanti," Prime Minister Modi said in a tweet. "Generations to come will remain forever grateful to Kalyan Singh Ji for his contributions towards India's cultural regeneration. He was firmly rooted in Indian values and took pride in our centuries-old traditions," he said.
President Ram Nath Kovind condoled the death of Kalyan Singh saying he had a "magical connect" with the masses. "Kalyan Singh ji had a magical connect with masses. As chief minister of UP, he determinedly pursued clean politics and purged governance of criminals and corruption," the president said in a message on Twitter. "He dignified the offices he held. His demise leaves a vacuum in public life. My heartfelt condolences," Kovind said.
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Uttar Pradesh has announced a three-day mourning and a holiday on Monday, when the former chief minister's last rites will be performed. CM Yogi Adityanath in his condolence message said, "Three-day state mourning will be declared 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. There will be a public holiday on August 23."
Uttar Pradesh Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Awanish K Awasthi on Sunday, said "Kalyan Singh's mortal remains will be taken to Vidhan Sabha where people will be able to pay last respects till 1pm. The mortal remains will then be kept at BJP office till 2:30 pm. After that, mortal remains will be taken to Aligarh where people will be able to pay last respects at the stadium. From there mortal remains will be taken to Atrauli."
The Uttarakhand government has also declared a one-day state mourning on Sunday, following the death of former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami described his death as an "irreparable loss" for the political world.
Singh is survived by his wife Ramvati Devi, son Rajveer Singh, who is the Lok Sabha MP from Etah, and grandson Sandeep Singh, who is the minister of state for finance, technical education, medical education in Uttar pradesh.
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(agency inputs)
