Yogi, Sai and Saini attend last rites ceremony for Shivraj Singh Chouhan's mother in Bhopal

Senior leaders from across the country reached Bhopal on Thursday to attend the trayodashi ceremony of Kashibai, mother of Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The ceremony was held at Vrindavan Garden on Narmadapuram Road. Several prominent leaders met Chouhan and expressed condolences to the bereaved family.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini were among the main attendees. Ministers from several states, MPs and senior politicians also came to the venue.

During the ceremony, Adityanath was seen talking affectionately with Chouhan's granddaughter Ila. Chouhan's daughter-in-law Amanat touched the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister's feet to pay respect. Adityanath offered flowers at Kashibai's portrait in tribute.

Adityanath wrote on social media that he attended the trayodashi ceremony and shanti bhoj of Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's late mother in Bhopal, offered flowers at her portrait and paid heartfelt tribute. He said he also consoled the bereaved family. He wrote that he prays to Lord Shri Ram to give the departed soul a place at his feet and to give the grieving family the strength to bear this immense sorrow.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, West Bengal leader Suvendu Adhikari and agriculture ministers from various states were also scheduled to attend the ceremony.

From Chhattisgarh, Deputy Chief Ministers Vijay Sharma and Arun Sao and Minister Ramvichar Netam also attended and offered condolences. Chief Minister Sai also paid tribute to Kashibai.

Former Union Minister Suresh Pachouri, Minister Tulsiram Silawat, MLAs Prabhuram Choudhary and Gopal Singh Engineer, and Congress MLA Heeralal Alawa were also among the leaders present in Bhopal.

Haryana Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana also came to Bhopal and offered flowers at Kashibai's portrait. Tamil Nadu BJP state president Nagendran, senior RSS pracharak Rajkumar Matale, ADG (Railways) Rajababu Singh and IAS officer Raghavendra Singh were also among those present.

Sudesh Shandilya, peethadhishwar of Karuna Dham, also paid tribute. Anupam Bansal and Ruchita Bansal, a director of Liberty Shoes and relatives of Chouhan, were also among those who attended.