Date:28/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/28/stories/2008112860000600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

‘V.P. Singh was a socialist to the core’

HYDERABAD: Leaders of various political parties expressed grief over the death of former Prime Minister V.P. Singh in New Delhi on Thursday and recalled his contribution for the uplift of downtrodden.

Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy said Singh was a great leader, parliamentarian and administrator and a socialist to the core. Dr. Reddy cancelled his programmes like official lunches and dinners scheduled for Friday in view of the national mourning. TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu said Singh played a key role in ensuring representation of downtrodden sections in administration and politics. BJP State president Bandaru Dattatreya recalled the service of Singh for the welfare of under-privileged sections and minorities. CPI deputy general secretary S. Sudhakar Reddy and State secretary K. Narayana said a secularist to the core, Singh was always with the Left parties.