President Murmu, PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi lead nation paying tribute, seven-day mourning for Manmohan Singh

Officials said the Union government has declared a seven-day mourning for Singh and cancelled all government programmes scheduled for Friday.

The Cabinet, officials said, will meet at 11 am Friday to pay tribute to Singh. His last rites will be conducted with full state honours.

President Murmu said Singh was “one of those rare politicians who also straddled the worlds of academia and administration with equal ease”. “In his various roles in public offices, he made critical contributions to reforming the Indian economy. He will always be remembered for his service to the nation, his unblemished political life and his utmost humility. His passing is a great loss to all of us. I pay my respectful homage to one of the greatest sons of Bharat and convey my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and admirers,” she said.

Former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao with Manmohan Singh at a Planning Commission meeting in July 1993. (Express Archive)

Prime Minister Modi said, “India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders, Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji. Rising from humble origins, he rose to become a respected economist. He served in various government positions as well, including as Finance Minister, leaving a strong imprint on our economic policy over the years. His interventions in Parliament were also insightful. As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people’s lives.”

In a social media post, Modi shared photographs of his meetings with Singh. He said as Gujarat Chief Minister, he had regular interaction with Singh. “We would have extensive deliberations on various subjects relating to governance. His wisdom and humility were always visible,” Modi said, adding that in this hour of grief, his thoughts were with the family of Singh, his friends and countless admirers.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed deep pain at Singh’s passing. Dhankhar called him a “distinguished economist who transformed India’s economic landscape”.

Former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh, who was the architect of the country’s landmark economic reforms of 1991, passed away in New Delhi on Thursday night. (Express Archive)

“A Padma Vibhushan awardee and architect of India’s economic liberalisation in 1991, he boldly steered our nation through a critical transition, opening new pathways for growth and prosperity. As the Vice-President of India, I had the privilege to engage in meaningful, insightful interactions with Dr Singh at his residence. His profound understanding of economy, gentle demeanor and unwavering commitment to India’s progress will forever be etched in my memory,” Dhankhar said in a statement.

“In Dr. Singh’s passing, India has lost a leader of towering intellect and a statesman par excellence. His legacy will forever guide Bharat’s growth trajectory,” he said.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said Singh led India with immense wisdom and integrity. “His humility and deep understanding of economics inspired the nation. My heartfelt condolences to Mrs Kaur and the family. I have lost a mentor and guide. Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the utmost pride,” he said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that from being the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India to the Finance Minister of the country and as the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh played an important role in the governance of the country.

BJP national president JP Nadda said that the passing of Manmohan Singh is an immense loss for the nation. “A visionary statesman and a stalwart of Indian politics, throughout his remarkable career in public service, he consistently voiced for the welfare of the downtrodden. His leadership earned admiration and respect across party lines. Shri Manmohan Singh ji’s legacy will continue to inspire generations in their pursuit of nation-building,” Nadda said while extending his condolences to Singh’s family, friends, and admirers.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that with the passing of Singh, India has lost a visionary statesman, a leader of unimpeachable integrity, and an economist of unparalleled stature.

“Undoubtedly, history shall judge you kindly, Dr. Manmohan Singh ji!,” Kharge posted on X.

Kharge also said Singh’s policy of economic liberalisation and rights-based welfare paradigm profoundly transformed the lives of crores of Indians, virtually creating a middle class in India and lifting crores out of poverty.

“I mourn the loss of a lifelong senior colleague, a gentle intellectual and a humble soul who embodied the aspirations of India, having risen through the ranks with unwavering dedication. I am proud to have been a part of his Cabinet as Labour Minister, Railway Minister and Social Welfare Minister. A man of action rather than words, his immense contribution to nation-building will forever be etched in the annals of Indian history,” Kharge said and added that Singh’s enduring legacy of ushering in India’s growth, welfare, and policies of inclusivity will forever be cherished.

Andhra Pradesh CM and TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu said Singh was an intellectual statesman who embodied humility, wisdom, and integrity. “From his economic reforms in 1991 as Finance Minister to his leadership as Prime Minister, he served the nation tirelessly and uplifted millions. His passing is a great loss to the nation,” Naidu said.

SP president Akhilesh Yadav said the demise of Singh, a great economist with a truthful and gentle personality, was an international irreparable loss.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock over Singh’s passing. “Profoundly stunned and saddened… I had worked with him and saw him from very close quarters in the Union Cabinet. His erudition and wisdom were unquestionable, and the depth of the financial reforms ushered in by him in the country are widely acknowledged,” Banerjee said.

JD(U) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in his message said that under Singh’s leadership, India’s economy got a new direction. “The demise of Dr. Manmohan Singh is an irreparable loss for Indian politics,” he said.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan highlighted Singh’s dedication to secularism and democracy. “Deeply saddened by the passing of Dr Manmohan Singh ji, former Prime Minister of India and a distinguished statesman committed to the values of secularism and democracy,” he said.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin hailed Singh for his intellect and leadership. “Deeply saddened by the passing of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, a statesman whose intellect and leadership steered India’s economic transformation. His tenure marked an era of steady growth, social progress, and reforms that improved the lives of millions,” he said.

“His calm, thoughtful leadership reflected a rare quality – a leader who spoke less but achieved more, driven by action rather than rhetoric,” he said.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah recalled that he had many occasions to interact and learn from Singh. “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,” Abdullah said.

Former PM and JDS leader HD Deve Gowda expressed sadness at Singh’s passing. “He was a good and patient man, a brilliant economist, and a colleague I valued and respected. He will be remembered in history as the man who changed the course of India’s economic future,” Deve Gowda said.

AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said that the demise of Singh was an irreparable loss for the country. “It is impossible to put his qualities of wisdom and simplicity into words,” Kejriwal said.