Srinagar, Dec 27: Cutting across party lines, political leaders of varied dispositions on Friday expressed grief over the passing away of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.
Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha said the former prime minister made extremely significant contributions to India’s growth. “During his long career in public service, Dr. Manmohan Singh-ji made extremely significant contributions to India’s growth. As Prime Minister, he took bold steps for nation-building. In his passing away, the nation has lost a towering politician and a distinguished luminary,” the Office of LG posted.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that India has lost a great son. “Very sorry to hear about the demise of former PM Dr Manmohan Singh. I had many occasions to interact & learn from him. He was truly an intellectual giant, an accomplished economist but above all he was a thorough gentleman, a giant among pygmies. India has lost a great son with his passing. Rest in peace sir & thank you for everything,” Omar Abdullah wrote.
National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah expressed grief over Manmohan Singh’s demise, saying his biggest legacy was that he tried to keep India united and spread love across the nation.
“Singh was an excellent economist. His biggest achievement was that he tried to keep India united. He opened the economy. Today, when we talk of a trillion-dollar economy, it is because of Singh,” Abdullah, who was Singh’s cabinet colleague, told reporters here.
Singh wanted friendly relations with our neighbours and “God willing, that time will come”, said Abdullah, who was the Minister for Renewable Energy in the second United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government
He noted that the economy was opened during the rule of Rajiv Gandhi and Narasimha Rao and said that today we can happily see that our economy is progressing.
“I was a minister in his cabinet, and for the first time in India, someone recognised renewable energy. On behalf of my family and my party, I pay my tributes to Singh and hope that we, and others, complete the work he left unfinished and take this country forward while maintaining brotherhood,” he said.
Remembering Singh’s efforts for peace and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir, the NC chief said his government took the biggest step of trying to bring back Kashmiri Pandits and address their difficulties in Jammu.
“Over 3,000 Kashmiri Pandits returned here, and their children were provided jobs. Colonies like Jagati were established for them so they could live comfortably until they returned to their homes,” he added.
Abdullah said not many like Singh are born and while they do a lot of work, they also face criticism.
“I pray to God to give strength to his family — his wife and children — to bear this pain. They should not forget that the sacrifices Singh made for this country will never go to waste,” the former Union minister said.
He added that both the present government and future governments should learn from Singh’s example.
“Contribution of Manmohan Singh as a leader and economist will remain unparalleled in the annals of history,” Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary said.
In his condolence message, the Deputy Chief Minister described Dr. Manmohan Singh as an exemplary leader, distinguished economist and visionary statesman whose contributions will be remembered for generations to come.
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said Singh’s contributions to the country and his values of humility, integrity, and inclusivity will continue to inspire generations to come.
Mufti and her party paid floral tributes to the former PM at the party headquarters here, where a condolence meeting was also held.
Mufti described Singh as the architect of modern India’s economic transformation, recalling his visionary leadership during the liberalisation, privatisation, and globalisation reforms that reshaped India in the early 1990s.
“Singh ushered India into a new era, setting the stage for growth and prosperity. From bringing bread and butter to the doorstep of the poorest through schemes like NREGA and the Food Security Act to securing the landmark nuclear deal, and AADHAR, his contributions have touched every Indian,” she said.
She said that in 2002, when PDP-Congress were in talks for government formation in J&K, Sonia Gandhi sent him to Kashmir and that was when she met him for the first time.
“I had never seen such a humble and soft-hearted person in my life. Singh had a vital role in forming the alliance at that time and the agenda of the alliance,” she added.
The PDP president praised Singh’s ability to navigate the country through complex challenges, and remembered his unprecedented public apology as prime minister for the anti-Sikh riots, demonstrating his humility and statesmanship.
“During his tenure of ten years, there was no communal riot anywhere. Today, there is no day when lynchings do not take place, mosques are being demolished, our shawl weavers are harassed outside,” she said, adding it was his biggest legacy.
The former J&K chief minister said what she liked the most about Singh was that he was a man of few words, but a “man of action”.
“Singh was very sincere and kind towards Jammu and Kashmir, whether we talk about economic packages or political processes. He formed five working groups to address the issues. These reports, despite the hostile environment, remain relevant today as guiding documents for finding a constitutional solution to the region’s problems,” she said.
“His era is unimaginable in its vision for peace, prosperity, and progress. His contributions to India and his values of humility, integrity, and inclusivity will continue to inspire generations to come,” she added.
Peoples Conference (PC) chairman, Sajad Gani Lone said that the economist Prime Minister will be known for his pioneering reforms. “A great human being and a gentleman Prime Minister passes away. The economist Prime Minister will always be known for his pioneering reforms and liberalisation. May he rest in peace,” Lone wrote.
Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said he was saddened by the passing of former prime minister Manmohan Singh, describing him as a statesman committed to harmony.
“Saddened by the demise of Dr Manmohan Singh ji. I recall our meetings, both during his tenure as prime minister and before, where his sincerity towards dialogue on Kashmir and fostering people-to-people contact across borders was evident,” Mirwaiz said in a post on X.
The separatist-religious leader said Singh believed in open borders and lasting peace with neighbours and engaged with the Hurriyat Conference with an open mind.
“A statesman committed to harmony and resolution. Condolences to his family, may his soul rest in peace,” he added.
President of Apni Party and former minister Altaf Bukhari said that the former PM dedicated his entire life to serving the nation. “Dr. Manmohan Singh, a visionary economist, academic, and one of India’s longest-serving PMs, dedicated his entire life to serving the nation. As Finance Minister in 1991, he ended the Licence Raj, transforming India’s economy. His legacy will inspire generations. May his soul rest in peace,” Bukhari wrote.
Former Union minister and Congress leader Saifuddin Soz said Singh’s passing away is a great loss to the nation.
All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina said Singh was always concerned about peace in Jammu and Kashmir. In his condolence message, Raina said Singh always believed in dialogue and advocated for the same while dealing with the Kashmir issue.
