'A perfect secularist; administrator who gave economic security to country', Manmohan Singh's demise is a huge loss’, says Chennithala

NEW DELHI: Congress Working Committee member Ramesh Chennithala said Manmohan Singh, who died Thursday night, was an administrator, who gave the nation strong economic security. Chennithala also recalled that he was the Prime Minister who transformed India into one of the world's economic powers.

‘During India's decisive period from 2004 to 2014, he led India forward with maturity and strength without getting discouraged by crises. He was an economic magician who gave the nation strong economic security from a miserable situation where even India's gold reserves had to be taken abroad and mortgaged. The nation is indebted to Manmohan Singh for the country's present economic stability. Even when he opened the doors of liberalization with the precision of an economist, he did not forget the ordinary people of the nation.

When Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi implemented strong social security schemes like the National Employment Guarantee Scheme, his administrative skills, foresight and commitment were evident. He was a complete secularist, a gentleman and a moderate, and a staunch Gandhian. Chennithala said that he had a long-standing close relationship with Manmohan Singh. His demise is causing great pain. The nation and the Congress have suffered a great loss,' Ramesh Chennithala recalled.

Manmohan Singh passed away at 9.51 pm last night at AIIMS in Delhi. He was admitted to the emergency ward of the hospital on Thursday night due to his deteriorating health. A seven-day mourning has been declared in the country in connection with his death.