Chaudhary Prem Singh's death an irreparable loss for Congress: Maken

New Delhi, Dec 13  :  Congress' Delhi unit chief Ajay Maken on Wednesday described the death of former Delhi Assembly Speaker Chaudhary Prem Singh as an irreparable loss for the party.

Singh, breathed his last on Tuesday night at Max Hospital in south Delhi's Saket, where he was admitted since December 6. The 84-year-old leader had collapsed at a function to commemorate the death anniversary of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar at the Ambedkar Bhawan.

His body was kept at the Delhi Congress office for Congress workers to pay their final homage.

Several senior party leaders paid tribute to one of the seniormost leaders of the party in Delhi. Ghulam Nabi Azad, and ex-MPs Sajjan Kumar, Mahabal Mishra and Ramesh Kumar placed wreaths to pay their homage.

Maken also wrapped the Congress flag on the body of Singh on behalf of the party workers. The party flag was also lowered at half mast at the Delhi Congress office as a mark of respect to the departed leader.

Maken expressed his deep sorrow at the death of Singh saying, "His death has caused an irreparable loss to the Congress party."

Singh was cremated at the Nigambodh Ghat crematorium in the presence of a large number of Congress workers and leaders.

Singh was a three-time president of the state Congress unit and also the Speaker twice.

His name also features in the Limca Book of Records for getting elected 10 times consecutively for different positions from the same constituency - Ambedkar Nagar. He contested his first election from Ambedkar Nagar in 1958 and did not lose an election from there till 2013.

He is survived by his wife, six daughters and two sons.