Congress writes to PM Modi seeking space for building a memorial to Manmohan Singh

"Apropos our telephonic conversation today morning, wherein I made a request to hold Dr Manmohan Singh's last rites, which will take place tomorrow i.e. 28th December 2024, at his final resting place that would be a sacrosanct venue for memorial of the great son of India," Kharge said in the letter, which was posted by the Congress on X.

"This is in keeping with such tradition of having memorials of statesmen and former prime ministers at the very place of their funerals," the Congress chief said.

Ending an era in the Indian political paradigm, Manmohan Singh, who served as the Indian PM for two terms, died on Thursday. He was 92.

Manmohan Singh rose to prominence as the country's finance minister during the Congress regime headed by PV Narasimha Rao during 1991-96, for bringing sweeping reforms that transformed the economy.As the two-term UPA Prime Minister, he stayed at the top post from 2004 to 2014 and served as a member of the Rajya Sabha till early this year.He retired from the Rajya Sabha in April.

Earlier on Friday, the Indian government announced a seven-day state mourning to pay respect to Manmohan Singh.

The Union Home Ministry said in a statement: "The Government of India has announced with profound sorrow the death of Dr. Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India on 26.12.2024 at AIIMS hospital, New Delhi."

During this period the National flag will be flown at half-mast throughout India where it is regularly flown and there will be no official entertainment during the period of state mourning.

"It has also been decided that the state funeral will be accorded to late Dr. Manmohan Singh," the Ministry said.