Rajya Sabha member and former Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh died in Singapore on Saturday afternoon, News18 reported. He was 64.
Singh was ill for a long time and was undergoing treatment in Singapore for some months. He had suffered kidney failure in 2013.
Singh was a key leader in the Samajwadi Party in 2008 when the party decided to support the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government. The Communist Party of India had at that time withdrew from the government over a nuclear deal with the United States.
Many leaders have tweeted their condolences. “Amar Singh Ji was an energetic public figure. In the last few decades, he witnessed some of the major political developments from close quarters. He was known for his friendships across many spheres of life. Saddened by his demise. Condolences to his friends & family. Om Shanti,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted.
“May God give shelter to the soul of Shri Amar Singh ji in his deeds. My sincere condolences to the family of Shri Amar Singh ji. I express my deepest condolences to his bereaved wife and daughters in this sad moment,” Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tweeted.
“There is a feeling of sorrow from the news of the demise of senior leader and MP Shri Amar Singh. During public life he had friendship among all the parties… My condolences to his heartbroken family,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted.
Amar Singh and his protege, actor Jaya Prada, were expelled from the Samajwadi Party in February 2010 for “anti-party activities”.