3-Day State Mourning In UP For Its Tallest OBC Leader Kalyan Singh

KALYAN Singh, former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and a voice of the depressed people, who was later appointed Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh Governor, has passed away in Lucknow due to sepsis and multi-organ failure. He was  89 and in the hospital since July 4. He is survived by his son Rajveer, MP from Etah, & grandson Sandip, a Minister in Yogi Govt. Born & grew up in a family belonging to OBC at Ataui in Aligarh district, he became CM for the first time in June 1991  and again became CM from 1997 to 1999. He had played a leading role in the Ramjanambhoomi Movement and had resigned following the demolition of the Ayodhya disputed structure on December 6, 1992. He could not see the completion of the grand Ram Temple under construction. He was in and out of BJP  and had allied with then his political opponent  Mulayam Singh Yadav following differences with BJP high command and later returned to the saffron outfit and remained its main face in Uttar Pradesh. President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed grief over his demise. The President said Kalyan Singh had a magical connection with the masses. As Chief Minister of UP  Kalyan Singh determinedly pursued clean politics and purged governance of criminals and corruption. Kalyan Singh dignified the offices he held and his demise leaves a vacuum in public life, he added. VP Naidu said that Kalyan Singh was a nationalist and an exemplary leader who was deeply committed to serving people. His thoughts are with the bereaved family and followers of Kalyan Singh, he added. In a series of tweets, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, Kalyan Singh was a statesman, veteran administrator, grassroots level leader and great human. He worked for the development of UP and the nation and became synonymous with honesty and good administration. He leaves behind an indelible contribution towards the development of Uttar Pradesh, he added and later rushed to Lucknow and laid a wreath on his body. UP CM Yogi Adityanath earlier said announced three-day government mourning (Rajkiya Shok) in the state and a holiday tomorrow. Paying rich tributes to Kalyan Singh, veteran BJP leader L K Advani said recalled his commitment, drive and sincerity towards resolving the Ayodhya issue and says he was a great source of strength for his party and others who eagerly waited to see the realisation of their dream of the grand Ram temple, Advani added. Kalyan Singh will be cremated on Monday, August 23 on the bank of river Ganga in Narora in his home town with state full honours. Edited by @chakravartypk