The mortal remains of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh were brought to the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in Delhi on Saturday, where they will be kept for party workers and others to pay their final respects.
Several political leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Rajesh Thakur, were among those who gathered at the AICC HQ to honor the late leader.
Meanwhile, preparations for the funeral procession are underway at Nigambodh Ghat in Delhi’s Kashmere Gate, where Dr. Singh’s last rites are scheduled to be performed today. The procession will proceed to the Ghat for the final rites, scheduled for 11:45 AM, as announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
A number of citizens also gathered outside Dr. Singh’s residence to pay their respects. Jasmeet, a resident of East Delhi, shared that she and her husband Hatendra Pal had come to honor Dr. Singh, praising his contributions to India’s global stature.
In anticipation of the funeral, Delhi Traffic Police issued a traffic advisory, warning the public of diversions and restrictions on key roads, encouraging the use of public transport to alleviate congestion.
Earlier, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge communicated with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, requesting that Dr. Manmohan Singh’s funeral be held at a site where a memorial could be constructed in his honor. Kharge suggested that such a memorial would serve as a fitting tribute to Dr. Singh’s legacy. Following the Cabinet meeting, Amit Shah assured Kharge and the Singh family that the government would allocate space for the memorial.
Dr. Manmohan Singh, who served as India’s 13th Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, was instrumental in leading economic reforms as Finance Minister from 1991 to 1996. His leadership is especially remembered for navigating India through significant economic challenges. After his retirement, Dr. Singh’s legacy remained a symbol of steady leadership during periods of growth and change in the country.