Cong playing cheap politics over Manmohan Singh’s cremation: BJP

New Delhi: BJP President J P Nadda on Saturday accused the Congress of engaging in "cheap politics" over the cremation of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, asserting that the Centre had already allocated space for his memorial and informed his family.

The BJP chief's remarks came after the Congress criticised the government for conducting Singh’s last rites at Nigambodh Ghat instead of designating a spot that could be converted into a memorial, reported PTI. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi claimed that the BJP-led Centre had "insulted" Singh, India's first Sikh prime minister and a "great son of Mother India."

In a sharp rebuttal, Nadda said it was unfortunate that Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge were politicising Singh's demise. He accused the Congress of neglecting Singh during his lifetime and exploiting his death for political mileage.

Nadda also alleged that the Congress had "tarnished" the office of the prime minister by undermining Singh’s authority when Sonia Gandhi acted as a "super prime minister." He referred to incidents such as Rahul Gandhi tearing an ordinance during Singh’s tenure, calling it a glaring example of disrespect.

The BJP president further criticised the Congress for failing to honour leaders outside the Nehru-Gandhi family, citing examples of B R Ambedkar, Rajendra Prasad, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Lal Bahadur Shastri, P V Narasimha Rao, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and Pranab Mukherjee. He claimed that the Congress neglected these leaders, with Rao’s funeral being moved to Hyderabad and his request for a memorial rejected by Sonia Gandhi.

Highlighting the BJP’s efforts to honor past leaders, Nadda pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library to commemorate all prime ministers. He added that Modi also ensured a memorial for Rao in 2015 and posthumously honored him with the Bharat Ratna.

Nadda accused the Congress of reserving recognition exclusively for the Nehru-Gandhi family, claiming that over 600 government schemes, institutions, and landmarks bear their names. "The country will neither forget nor forgive the Congress for its unprincipled actions," he stated.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also condemned the Congress for politicising Singh’s death, accusing the party of disregarding the sentiments of the late leader’s grieving family. Pradhan clarified that the Union Cabinet had allocated space for Singh’s memorial soon after his passing, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah informing his family and Kharge.

“The Congress should stop this disgraceful politics and honor the legacy of Dr Manmohan Singh during this time of national mourning,” Pradhan said.