Fri Dec 27 18:25:04 UTC 2024: ## Congress Seeks Memorial for Manmohan Singh at Cremation Site, Sparking Political Row
**New Delhi, December 27, 2024** – A political debate erupted today following Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s request to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to build a memorial for former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at his cremation site. Kharge, in a letter and phone call to Modi, proposed that the cremation, scheduled for December 28th, be held at a location suitable for a future memorial, citing tradition. Manmohan Singh, who passed away at age 92, served two terms as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014.
The BJP, however, countered the Congress’s proposal, citing the party’s failure to erect a memorial for former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao during their 2004-2014 tenure. BJP spokesperson C.R. Kesavan highlighted the alleged Congress attempt to relocate Rao’s cremation to Hyderabad and the lack of a Delhi memorial until Modi’s government established one in 2015, posthumously awarding Rao the Bharat Ratna in 2024. Kesavan condemned what he called the Congress’s “unprincipled” behaviour.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh responded sharply, accusing the government of deliberately disrespecting India’s first Sikh Prime Minister by failing to secure a suitable location for both the cremation and memorial.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav urged both sides to avoid politicizing the issue, advocating for a memorial at Raj Ghat.
Manmohan Singh’s legacy encompasses a distinguished career as an economist, Reserve Bank of India governor, and Union Finance Minister, known for his pivotal role in India’s economic reforms in the 1990s. His tenure as Prime Minister saw the introduction of landmark legislation including the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and the Right to Information Act (RTI). He retired from the Rajya Sabha earlier this year after 33 years of service. The cremation will take place at Nigambodh Ghat in Delhi.
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