‘Should have thought beyond politics’: After Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra now slams Centre over Manmohan Singh’s funeral

NEW DELHI: Congress leader and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday took a potshot at the Centre for conducting the cremation of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the Nigambodh Ghat in New Delhi instead of a designated memorial site. Taking to X, she said that the Centre should have thought “beyond politics and narrow-mindedness” in this matter.

Taking to X, she lashed out at the Centre and said that it has “not done justice to the dignity of the post of former Prime Minister” by not providing an adequate place for the cremation.

“By not providing an adequate place for the cremation of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, the Government has not done justice to the dignity of the post of former Prime Minister, the personality of Manmohan Singh, his legacy and the self-respecting Sikh community,” she wrote in an X post.

She further said, “earlier all former Prime Ministers” were given the highest honour and respect and Manmohan Singh deserves this “honour and Samadhi Sthal.”

“Today the whole world is remembering his contribution. The government should have thought beyond politics and narrow-mindedness in this matter. This morning, I felt this when I saw Dr Manmohan Singh ji’s family members struggling for a place at the funeral site, trying to find a place in the crowd, and the general public getting troubled due to lack of space and paying tribute from the road outside,” the Wayanad MP added.’Insulted by present government, deserves highest respect’, says Rahul Gandhi

Earlier, Vadra’s brother and leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, also seized the opportunity to attack the Centre and said that Manmohan Singh deserves the “highest respect and a memorial.”

“The great son of India and the first Prime Minister of the Sikh community, Dr. Manmohan Singh ji has been totally insulted by the present government by performing his last rites today at the Nigambodh Ghat,” he posted on X.

Gandhi in his post highlighted Singh’s decade-long tenure as Prime Minister, during which India emerged as an economic powerhouse, with policies benefiting disadvantaged sections of society.

“Till date, respecting the dignity of all former Prime Ministers, their last rites were performed at authorized burial sites so that every person could have the last darshan and pay homage without any inconvenience. Dr. Manmohan Singh deserves our highest respect and a memorial. The government should have shown respect to this great son of the country and his proud community,” he added.

Meanwhile, Congress itself is facing scrutiny for not extending similar respect to former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao, as the UPA government had previously declined requests for separate memorials citing space constraints.

BJP accuses Congress of indulging in politics

However, BJP came down heavily on Congress and criticised it for indulging in politics over Manmohan Singh’s funeral.

BJP national spokesperson and MP Sambit Patra said, “it is unfortunate that the BJP has to address a press conference on the subject relating to the funeral of Dr Singh… since his death, the Centre has been preparing to construct a memorial for him.”

“A cabinet meeting was called and a condolence message was issued. It was also decided to pay proper respects to the former PM befitting to his stature. The cabinet has informed both Dr Singh’s family and the Congress that a memorial will be built so that everyone can remember his positive contribution. However, time is needed for land acquisition, forming a trust and other formalities. At the same time, cremation should be done as it cannot wait,” Patra added.

Courtesy : TOI

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