Kalyan Singh, former UP CM dies at 89; PM Modi, CM Yogi and others mourn veteran BJP leader's death
Former UP CM Kalyan Singh died due to sepsis and multi-organ failure, the hospital said in the statement.
Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and BJP veteran Kalyan Singh, who was ailing for some time, died at the age of 89 on Saturday night. He was being treated at the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI) in Lucknow, UP. Singh was admitted to SGPGI on July 4 in the Intensive Care Unit in critical condition.
He died due to sepsis and multi-organ failure, the hospital said in the statement. Singh was the UP chief minister when the Babri mosque was demolished by a mob in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992. He later also served as the governor of Rajasthan.
As BJP lost one of its stalwart leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UP CM Yogi Adityanath, Union Minister Amit Shah other senior ministers and leaders are paying tributes.
President Ram Nath Kovind says Kalyan Singh had a magical connect with masses
President Ram Nath Kovind condoled the death of former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and senior BJP leader 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.
Saddened beyond words: PM Modi
Taking to Twitter, Prime Minister Modi said, "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."
"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.
"Kalyan Singh Ji gave voice to crores of people belonging to the marginalised sections of society. He made numerous efforts towards the empowerment of farmers, youngsters and women," the Prime Minister said.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath announces 3-day state mourning
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath condoled the death of senior party leader Kalyan Singh and declared a 3-day state mourning.
"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 in the evening of on August 23. There will be a public holiday on August 23," Adityanath declared.
Hero of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, says Union Home Minister Amit Shah
Crores of people across the country including me are in pain due to the demise of Kalyan Singh. He was a senior BJP leader and hero of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. He fought for the rights of the backward communities for many years, said Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
"Kalyan Singh raised the voice of the downtrodden in the UP Assembly or the Parliament. He had been committed to the cause of Ram Janmbhommi. On the day of stone laying for Ram Temple, I spoke to him over the phone and he said his dreams came true," Amit Shah added.
'Pained by his death': Vice President Venkaiah Naidu
"Pained by demise of former UP CM Kalyan Singh. He was a nationalist & an exemplary leader who was deeply committed to serving people. My thoughts are with his bereaved family & followers," Vice President Venkaiah Naidu said.
'We have lost an eminent personality', says Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla
With the passing away of Kalyan Singh, we have lost an eminent personality who left an indelible mark at the national level with his political acumen, administrative experience and development-oriented approach, said Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
May God give peace to the departed soul: Akhilesh Yadav
"Former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, former Governor of Rajasthan, Kalyan Singh ji passed away. May God give peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear the loss. Humble tribute," former UP CM Akhilesh Yadav said.
ALSO READ | Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh passes away at 89