Bhopal: Mortal remains of former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Kushabhau Thakre were consigned to flames with full State honours at Bhadbhada cremation ground in the presence of a galaxy of VVIPs in Bhopal today (Dec 29, 2003).

His nephew Prasad Thakre lit the funeral pyre amid chanting of Vedic hymns, as a host of dignitaries from across the country bid a tearful adieu to the departed leader, who died a bachelor at the age of 82 yesterday in New Delhi following a prolonged illness.

Among those present on the occasion were Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief K S Sudershan, several Union Ministers, Madhya Pradesh Governor Ram Prakash Gupta, Chief Minister Uma Bharti and her colleagues.

Chief Ministers Narendra Modi (Gujarat), Raman Singh (Chattisgarh) and Arjun Munda (Jharkhand) were also present at the cremation ground.

Buglers sounded the last post, while police personnel reversed their arms as a mark of respect to the departed leader.