Pramod Mahajan cremated with full state honours

Mumbai, May 4 (UNI) BJP General Secretary Pramod Mahajan was cremated here today with full state honours amid poignant scenes, bringing the curtain down on an eventful and controversial political career.

Tears trickled down the eyes of thousands of mourners at the Shivaji Park crematorium ground as Rahul, the young son of the 56-year-old master strategist of the party, lit the funeral pyre.

Cries of "Pramad Mahajan Amar Rahe" and ''Jab Tak Suraj Chand Rahega Pramod Tera Naam Rahega'' rent the air as the flames from the pyre leapt up into the sky.

Mahajan, the 'poster boy' of the BJP and its crisis manager, died at the Hinduja Hospital yesterday losing a grim 12-day battle for survival after he was shot at point blank range by his younger brother Pravin at his residence on April 22.

His mortal remains were consigned to flames amid chanting of vedic hymns this afternoon, after a phalanx of VIPs led by Vice President Bhairon Singh Sekhawat paid their respects to the dynamic leader, who had catapulted the BJP to power at the Centre.

Rekha and Prabhavati, the wife and mother of... picking up from para five, line one of BY26, PEOPLE-MAHAJAN-FIFTH LEAD HOMAGE.

UNI Team AT RP PC2016