BJP on Sunday claimed that the Congress is politicising the death of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, with the BJP spokesperson offering a rebuttal to the allegations made by opposition leaders.
After the nation bid farewell to Manmohan Singh on Saturday, a political tussle erupted between the BJP and Congress over the Congress’s demand that Singh funeral site to be made into his memorial. While Congress accused BJP for “disrespect and a grave insult.” The ruling party alleged Congress of playing “cheap politics” over the former PM’s funeral and called it ‘baseless allegations’.
In support to BJP chief JP Nadda’s attack on Congress, Amit Malviya on Sunday said, “It is a shame that Congress continues to politicize the former PM’s death.” In a post on X, the BJP responded to the allegations made by Congress.
On Congress’s alleged that media coverage of the funeral was surrounded by Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, with no coverage apart from Doordarshan, Malviya said, “The MoD has no role in the coverage of state functions. In the past as well, only Doordarshan has recorded such events. Restrictions on entry were imposed by security agencies. National functions are traditionally covered solely by Doordarshan.”
Replying to claims that there were not proper sitting arrangements for Singh’s family, Malviya said everything was done in adherence to the State protocol.
“Seating arrangements at the funeral site were made by the CPWD in collaboration with Delhi Police. The number of seats in the front row was maximized based on the available space. Five seats were assigned to family members in the front row, occupied by Mrs. Manmohan Singh and her three daughters.”
He added, “The left out 20 seats were designated for constitutional authorities who were to lay tributes. These included the President of India, the King of Bhutan, the Vice president, the Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, Leaders of the Opposition, and Service Chiefs. No other person was allotted a front-row seat. Additional seating for family members was arranged in the subsequent rows.”
Responding to Congress’s allegations that the PM Modi and other ministers did not stand when the National Flag was handed to the late PM Singh’ wife Malviya said, “The state funeral was carried out with full military honors, following protocol. There was no anomaly in the process.”
Regarding accusations by Khera that Singh’s family members were not given adequate space around the pyre due to soldiers occupying one side, Malviya said, “The site for the funeral was assigned by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Ceremonial personnel were the only officials present near the pyre. Enough space was available for family members and priests.”
On the allegation that the public was kept out of the venue, he responded, saying, “Restrictions on public entry were imposed by security agencies over safety conserns. The venue was at full capacity.”
Congress also accused Home Minister Amit Shah’s motorcade disturbed the funeral procession, pushing family cars to be left outside and family members to be relocated.
Malviya refuted this, saying, “The funeral procession was organised by the traffic police. Details of family cars were collected in advance, and passes were assigned to them by the security unit for parking. No disruption in the procession occurred.”
The BJP also accused Congress of “exploiting Dr. Manmohan Singh’s death” and requested the party to abstain from politicising the event.
The tussle initiated after the Centre announced that Former PM Singh’s last rites would be organised at Nigambodh Ghat, despite Congress request to a dedicated location for a future memorial.
The Centre Government in a statement that a trust would be established, and space would be allocated for a memorial, but the funeral would still take place at the crematorium. Since then, Big leaders from both sides have been jabbing at each other over ‘disrespecting’ late Manmohan Singh.