Former UP chief minister and ex-Governor of Rajasthan Kalyan Singh passed away while undergoing treatment for sepsis and multi-organ failure at Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences in Lucknow on Saturday. He was 89, his family sources said.
The veteran leader was admitted to the ICU ward of the hospital on July 4 after contracting an infection while his consciousness level also slowed down. On Friday, the hospital authorities informed that his health status was critical and he was put on a life-support system.
An all-time BJP veteran and two-time Chief Minister of the country's most populous state, Singh was one of the chief architects of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and was at the helm of the affairs in the state when the Babri masjid was demolished in 1992.
Soon after the demise of his news broke, condolences outpoured from all quarters.
Penning, heartfelt notes on the development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Generations to come will remain forever grateful to Kalyan Singh Ji for his contributions towards India’s cultural regeneration."
The Prime Minister shared a photo of him sharing some moments with the late leader and quoted: "I am saddened beyond words. Kalyan Singh Ji…statesman, veteran administrator, grassroots level leader and great human"
The President of India expressed grief at the passing away of the veteran leader. He wrote "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. He dignified the offices he held. His demise leaves a vacuum in public life. My heartfelt condolences."
Taking to Twitter, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also condoled the death of Singh.
Crores of people across the country including me are in pain due to the demise of Kalyan Singh, said Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
He was a nationalist & an exemplary leader who was deeply committed to serving people, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu said while expressing sorrow over the death of the leader.