Government officials, politicians and family members paid their last respects to Mr Singh, who was widely regarded as the architect of the country's economic reform programme.

The BJP leader consistently hit out at his Congress colleague, once he had started his move to Delhi, leaving even the unflappable Singh often flustered. The exception was Modi's Rajya Sabha farewell tribute to Singh.

President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are among the dignitaries expected to attend the last rites of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at Nigambodh Ghat.