RLD chief Ajit Singh succumbs to Covid

LUCKNOW: The lethal Corona wave claimed the life of an important political figure on Thursday when Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief and former union minister Ajit Singh succumbed to the deadly virus. He was 82.
Singh, son of stalwart farmer leader and former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh, breathed his last around 8.20 am at a private hospital in Gurgaon where he was admitted after testing positive for Covid on April 20. His son and RLD vice-president Jayant Chaudhary announced the passing away of his father, tweeting: “Chaudhary sahab nahi rahe” (Chaudhary sahab is no more).
The Chaudhary family, in a statement, said that it appreciated the efforts put in by his medical team and the support expressed by his many supporters and well-wishers. “Chaudhary Ajit Singh’s last rites were carried out maintaining Covid protocols. At this sensitive time, it is our express request not to come to Delhi to visit family or express grief. At this hour, giving full regard to Covid protocols and lending a helping hand if possible to relief efforts will be the appropriate way of paying tribute to Chaudhary Sahab,” the family said in a statement.
Tributes poured in cutting across political lines as the news of the demise of Ajit Singh - a seven-time MP from Baghpat in west UP -- spread. Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that Singh always stood for the cause of farmers. He termed Singh as an able leader who held responsibilities of various ministries in the past. “My condolences to his family and supporters,” the PM said.
UP governor Anandi Ben Patel, chief minister Yogi Adityanath and UP BJP chief Swatantra Dev Singh too expressed their grief on the death of the RLD supremo.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, his sister and party general secretary, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra too condoled the passing away of Singh saying that his death was a grave loss to Indian politics and society. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav termed Ajit Singh a `messiah of farmers and labourers’. BSP chief Mayawati paid tributes to Singh terming him as a highly popular leader amongst his supporters.