The mortal remains of Former Minister and Bermo MLA Rajendra Prasad Singh were consigned to flames on Tuesday at Damodar river cremation ghat as Chief Minister Hemant Soren and other senior leaders, besides family, friends and admirers bid a tearful adieu to the political stalwart.
A sea of mourners had gathered at the Damodar crematorium here where he was cremated with full state honours. Singh, one of Jharkhand's high-profile labour union leader and Bermo MLA, who brought a rare empathy and a human approach to State's diplomacy, died at Fortis hospital, Delhi late Sunday afternoon.
The body of the former minister, wrapped in a tricolour, was brought to the crematorium in the afternoon from his house Dhori, where it was kept for 8 hours for people to pay their respects. Senior Congress leader and former minister, Rajendra Prasad Singh, died late Sunday afternoon in Fortis hospital Gurgaon following a lungs infection, family members said. He was 73 and is survived by his wife, two son and seven daughters
Hundreds of people, including the chief minister Hemant Soren, JMM party Supremo Shibu Soreon, JPCC Chief Rameshwar Oraon, MP Sudarshan Bhagat, MLAs Jagarnath Mahto, Badal Patralekh, Kamlesh Singh, Bana Gupta, Mamta kumari, Mathura Mahto, Chandra Prakash Chaudhary, Ravindra Kumar Panday, Arup Chaterjee, Binod Singh Lambodar Mahto, Wilson Fransis, Yogendra Giri gave him an emotional farewell.
Others senior congress leaders, local coal field INTUC leaders were also attended the funeral.
His mortal remains were consigned to flames in the wood crematorium, amid sounding of the ceremonial flag and strains of vedic mantras in the background. Chief Minister Hemant Soren was seen comforting his wife Rani Singh, son Jai Mangal Singh, Anup Singh and daughters.
People from multiple faiths converged at the crematorium, and many came from as far as Bihar and Chhattisgarh to pay homage to Rajendra Prasad Singh.
Minister in Hemant Soren Government Rameshwar Oraon said, "His death is a big loss for the party, and State as well as the country. Our prayers are with family.”
Congress MLA Badal Patralekh said, Rajendra Prasad Singh was a "rare politician, who was liked by people across parties. This is a profound loss for the Congress party," dedication towards the people and the Congress party remained undiminished even in the face of great adversity, she said.
Wilson Fransis a trade union leader said, “With the passing away of Rajendra Prasad Singh, we have lost a popular & respected Congressman who worked tirelessly in the service of Bermo’s coal workers & the development of Bermo.
Prasad Singh (73 ) had won for the sixth time, Singh has been the former Finance and Health Minister of Jharkhand. He was representing the Bermo Assembly constituency for the sixth time. He defeated Yogeshwar Mahato of BJP by 25172 votes from Bermo assembly seat.
From 1985 to 2005, Rajendra Singh continued to be an MLA here on a Congress ticket for 20 consecutive years.
After losing in 2005, he again won this seat in 2009. Then after losing in 2014, he has won this seat for the sixth time in 2019.