The Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday cancelled the launch of its manifesto for the Uttar Pradesh election as a mark of respect for singer Lata Mangeshkar, who died earlier in the day.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister Adityanath and his deputy Keshav Prasad Maurya observed a two-minute silence in Mangeshkar’s honour in Lucknow city.
The BJP’s Uttar Pradesh chief Swatantra Dev Singh said that on account of the singer’s death, the release of the manifesto has been postponed, and a new date will be announced soon.
The party said it will later announce a date for the launch of the manifesto for Uttar Pradesh, where the first phase of assembly election is due on February 10.
In Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told news agency ANI that party has cancelled PM’s rally and other major party functions following the death of Lata Mangeshka’s singer. Sawant said that a two-day state mourning would be observed following the legendary singer’s demise.
Goa BJP was also supposed to release its manifesto for the upcoming assembly elections. Nitin Gadkari’s meeting has also been cancelled, he informed.
Bharat Ratna awardee Lata Mangeshkar passed away on Sunday at the age of 92 years. The megastar had been admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy hospital on January 8 after she was diagnosed with COVID-19 and pneumonia. Though having recovered from COVID, the singer was put on ventilator support after her condition worsened on Saturday.
Her last rites will be performed with full State honours on Sunday at 6:30 pm in at Shivaji Park Mumbai. The mortal remains of the singer will be taken from the hospital at 12.30 to her home Prabhu Kunj. Her mortal remains will be there till 3 pm.