Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, 74, died around 11 a.m. at AIIMS hospital in Delhi. (Proceedings)
New Delhi:
President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in paying tribute to veteran Bihar politician and former RJD leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, who died this morning in Delhi. Mr. Singh, 74, who was being treated at AIIMS Delhi, was on respiratory support after his condition deteriorated rapidly over the past two days. He died around 11 a.m. after complaining of shortness of breath, according to the PTI news agency.
President Kovind, in his message of condolence, said Singh was an “outstanding leader rooted in the land” and had a phenomenal understanding of rural India.
“The passing of Raghuvansh Prasad Singh is tragic. Raghuvansh babu, an outstanding leader rooted in the land, was a true stalwart with a phenomenal understanding of rural India. With his spartan and sage lifestyle, he enriched public life. Condolences to his family and followers, “he said.
The Prime Minister paid tribute to the Bihar politician while speaking at the launch of oil projects in Bihar. “Raghuvansh Prasad Singh is no longer with us. His disappearance has left a void in Bihar’s political sphere as well as in the country,” Prime Minister Modi said.
Raghuvansh Prasad Singh Ji is no longer with us. I pay my tributes: PM @Narendra Modi
– narendramodi_in (@narendramodi_in) September 13, 2020
Lalu Prasad Yadav, Singh’s former associate and former chief minister of Bihar, was one of the first politicians to pay tribute to the leader of Bihar.
“Dear Raghuvansh babu! What did you do? I told you the day before yesterday that you are not going anywhere. But you went so far. I am speechless. I am sad. I will miss you so much,” Prasad tweeted shortly after. the news of Mr. Singh’s death was made public.
Lalu Prasad Yadav’s son and political heir, Tejashwi Yadav, told the ANI news agency that he was in regular contact with the doctors treating him. “The death of #RaghuvanshPrasadSingh left us alone. I had recently met him at AIIMS, Delhi, where he was admitted. We were in regular contact with the doctors who were treating him,” Yadav said, according to ANI.
Raghuvansh Prasad Singh had shaken Yadav and RJD on Friday by delivering a handwritten resignation letter. “After the death of (former chief minister and socialist icon) Karpuri Thakur, I was by his side for 32 years, but no more,” he wrote with a not so firm hand, adding that he had received love and support from the party.
But Lalu Yadav made it clear that he would not give up on his old friend.
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu said he was shocked by the death of the former Union minister. Mr. Naidu remembered Raghuvansh Prasad Singh as “an enlightened MP and a popular political activist” who had a strong voice in favor of the interests of the weaker sectors and rural development.
“I am shocked by the death of former Union Minister and Senior Leader Shri Raghuvansh Prasad Singh! He was an enlightened MP and popular political activist. In his long and glorious public life, he had a strong voice for the interests of the sectors. and rural development, “Naidu tweeted in Hindi.
LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan, a Bihar Union minister, also expressed his regret and praised Singh as a politician who focused on problems and fought for social justice.
“The death of Raghuvansh Prasad Singhji, a senior RJD leader, is a major blow to Bihar politics. Raghuvansh babu always pursued problem-based politics and throughout his life he fought for social justice and the rights of the exploited, deprived and vice versa. May his soul rest in peace, “Paswan tweeted.
Congressional leader Sachin Pilot tweeted:
Saddened by the disappearance of Raghuvansh Babu. He was a true son of the politician of the soil. It is a pleasure to work with someone who genuinely echoes the trials and tribulations of the poor.
His advocacy and contributions to empower rural India will be long remembered. RIP https://t.co/fnfozFAMwr– Sachin Pilot (@SachinPilot) September 13, 2020
Raghuvansh Prasad Singh represented the state’s Vaishali constituency and was the Union Minister for Rural Development in the Congress-led UPA-I government. He also served as Minister of State for the Union for Livestock, as well as for Food and Consumer Affairs.
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