BJP and Congress Trade Accusations Over Arrangements for the State Funeral of the Former Prime Minister
Agartala (Tripura), December 29: A political controversy has erupted following the state funeral of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, with the BJP and Congress engaging in a heated exchange over the arrangements made for the cremation ceremony at Nigambodh Ghat, Delhi.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi accused the Congress party of politicizing the solemn occasion, despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s personal involvement in ensuring proper arrangements for the late leader’s final farewell.
“There is no doubt that Dr. Manmohan Singh was one of the most respectable personalities. However, the Congress party started playing politics even after PM Modi’s government ensured everything was in place for his last rites. Such behavior does not suit any party, especially during a time of mourning,” Joshi told ANI.
Government’s Efforts Highlighted
Joshi emphasized that Prime Minister Modi personally oversaw the arrangements and that Union Home Minister Amit Shah communicated directly with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge regarding plans for a memorial dedicated to Dr. Singh.
“Despite these efforts, Congress continues to indulge in cheap politics and misleading statements,” Joshi added.
Congress Criticizes ‘Shoddy Arrangements’
On the other side, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal sharply criticized the government, calling the arrangements at the cremation “deeply insulting.”
“The shoddy arrangements and the government’s conduct at Dr. Manmohan Singh’s cremation made it clear that there was a deliberate attempt to diminish his stature. This monumental insult is unacceptable, and India will never forgive Prime Minister Modi for this,” Venugopal posted on X.
He further alleged that the dignity and protocol befitting a leader of Dr. Singh’s stature were lacking, pointing to multiple instances where he claimed the family was disrespected.
JP Nadda’s Rebuttal
BJP National President JP Nadda dismissed the allegations, accusing the Congress party of “politicizing a moment of national mourning.”
“It is unfortunate that Congress leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge are resorting to politics even in such sorrowful times. This is the same Congress that undermined Dr. Singh’s authority during his tenure as Prime Minister by placing Sonia Gandhi above him as a ‘super PM,'” Nadda said.
Government Assures Memorial for Manmohan Singh
Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured Congress President Kharge and Dr. Singh’s family that the government would allocate space for a memorial in honor of the former Prime Minister. However, Shah clarified that such a memorial requires the formation of a dedicated trust and formal processes to be completed.
State Funeral with Full Honors
Dr. Manmohan Singh was accorded a state funeral with military honors at Nigambodh Ghat, Delhi, on Saturday. The solemn ceremony was attended by leaders from across the political spectrum, marking the end of an era for Indian politics.
The Legacy of Dr. Manmohan Singh
Dr. Manmohan Singh, who passed away at AIIMS Delhi on Thursday night at the age of 92, was widely respected as an architect of India’s economic liberalization and a leader of immense humility and intellect.
As the political battle over his final rites continues, Dr. Singh’s contributions to India remain a lasting legacy, transcending political divisions and reflecting his vision for a stronger, more inclusive nation.