"Big setback for Congress": Harish Rawat mourns Manmohan Singh's demise

Speaking to ANI, Congress leader Harish Rawat said, "His demise is a big setback for the country. He was the son of India who dedicated his life to building the nation. He helped in rebuilding Uttarakhand after the 2013 flood disaster. This is a big setback for Congress as well."

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu also condoled Singh's death, saying that his contributions to the country, especially in economic liberalization, will always be remembered by every Indian.

Speaking to ANI, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said, "It is a great loss for the nation. I offer my condolences to his family. He has always been an inspiration, especially to the youngsters. His contributions to the country, especially economic liberalisation will always be remembered by every Indian."

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his last respects to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at his residence in Delhi.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Health Minister and BJP National President JP Nadda also paid their last respects to Manmohan Singh.

Congress leaders, including KC Venugopal, were also present at the former PM's residence.

Manmohan Singh passed away at AIIMS, Delhi, on Thursday evening at the age of 92 due to age-related medical conditions. He had a sudden loss of consciousness at home after which he was rushed to the AIIMS Delhi.

Condolences have poured in from around the globe in response to Singh's demise. Leaders from neighbouring countries, including the United States, Maldives, and Afghanistan, expressed their deep grief over his passing, highlighting his contributions and the warm relationships he fostered with their nations.

The mortal remains of the former PM will be kept at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in Delhi for public viewing. As per the Congress party sources, the 'last darshan' will be scheduled for Saturday between 8:00 am to 10:00 am.

Singh, renowned for introducing the 1991 economic liberalisation reforms as the Finance Minister of India, will be cremated near Rajghat, at the location where the last rites of Prime Ministers are performed.

Manmohan Singh was born on September 26, 1932. Apart from being an economist, Manmohan Singh served as Reserve Bank of India governor from 1982-1985. He was the 13th PM of India with his tenure from 2004-2014 and was the longest-serving PM after Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.

Serving as the finance minister of India in PV Narasimha Rao's government, Singh has been given credit for economic liberalisation in the country in 1991. The reforms made the Indian economy more accessible to foreign investors, which increased FDI and reduced government control. It greatly contributed to the country's economic growth.

Manmohan Singh's government also introduced the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), which later came to be known as MGNREGA.

The Right to Information Act (RTI) was passed in 2005 under the Manmohan Singh government, which made the transparency of information between the government and the public better.

Dr Manmohan Singh retired from the Rajya Sabha earlier this year after serving for 33 years. (ANI)