No one from Gandhi family went to collect MMS remains: Puri

NEW DELHI: Union minister and BJP representative Hardeep Puri Sunday said Congress was manufacturing a "parallel narrative" on last rites of ex PM Manmohan Singh and was doing a "huge disservice" to his memory and the ethos he embodied.

"Those members of Congress who are vitiating the poise and dignity of the sombre moment with controversies and falsehoods should refrain and introspect," Puri said in response to Congress's criticism of government on the memorial issue.

"Very sad to see that not a single member of Congress or the Gandhi family showed up to collect the remains of Manmohan Singh ji. For media attention and to politicise, Congress was present, but when it came to honouring him with dignity, they were absent. Truly shameful," BJP's IT department head Amit Malviya said in a post on X. BJP's Manjinder Singh Sirsa was seen along with Manmohan Singh's family members collecting his remains.

Puri said with Singh's body draped in the tricolour, the former PM was accorded full state and military honours, state funeral and a befitting 21-gun salute.

"A seven-day national mourning has been declared and flags will fly at half mast. Members of the Sikh Sangat were present in full force during the rituals. Manmohan Singh ji will forever remain an inspirational leader for us. We will cherish his memories and values," Puri said.

On Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera's allegations on the logistics during Singh's funeral, Malviya clarified that the defence ministry had no involvement in the media coverage of functions, which has historically been managed by Doordarshan.

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