'The values for which he stood for are still a benchmark. He was a prominent leader of the Ram temple movement and did not hesitate to quit office, so that a grand temple for Lord Ram may be built in Ayodhya.'
Glowing tributes poured in from across political parties for former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh who passed away August 21.
Singh, who was ailing for some time, died at the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI) here on Saturday night. He was 89.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid his last respects to former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh here.
He hailed the two-time Uttar Pradesh chief minister's "indelible contribution" towards the development of the state and the "cultural regeneration" of India.
Veteran BJP leader L K Advani said on Sunday that his commitment, drive and sincerity towards resolving the Ayodhya issue was a great source of strength for his party and others who eagerly waited to see the realisation of their dream of a grand Ram temple.
Expressing sadness at his death, Advani said Singh was a stalwart of Indian politics and a grassroots leader.
"I cherish my many special memories with him during the Ram Janmabhoomi Movement. His commitment, drive and sincerity towards resolving the Ayodhya issue was a great source of strength not only for my party, the BJP, but for scores of Indians who were eagerly waiting to see the realisation of their dream of a grand temple of Lord Ram at Ram Janambhoomi," he said.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and his Haryana counterpart Manohar Lal Khattar too condoled the demise of former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh.
"Saddened to know about the demise of former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Shri Kalyan Singh Ji. He was a leader of the masses and served on many prestigious positions. My heartfelt condolences to his family. RIP!" the Punjab chief minister said in a tweet.
In a tweet, Khattar also expressed grief over Singh's demise.
Haryana's Deputy Chief Minister and JJP leader Dushyant Chautala and former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda have also expressed grief over the demise of the former Rajasthan governor.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the demise of BJP veteran Kalyan Singh on Saturday and said it was an "irreparable loss" for the society and the saffron party.
Speaking to reporters at SGPGI, Adityanath said, "The values for which he stood for are still a benchmark. He was a prominent leader of the Ram temple movement and did not hesitate to quit office, so that a grand temple for Lord Ram may be built in Ayodhya. After the disputed structure fell on December 6, 1992, he tendered resignation taking moral responsibility."
He described Singh's demise as an "irreparable loss" for the society and the BJP.
An emotional Adityanath announced a three-day mourning in Uttar Pradesh and a public holiday on Monday when the former chief minister's last rites will be performed on the banks of the Ganga in Narora.
