Sonia hosts farewell dinner for PM, Rahul skips it

“Singh's experienced and seasoned stewardship, his personal integrity and ability to lead the country through difficult times is noteworthy and India is proud to have earned so many laurels and respect during the 10 years,” AICC had said.

Singh would be demitting office on May 17, a day after the Lok Sabha election results are announced. 

He had assumed office on May 22, 2009, for his second straight term as prime minister and already holds the distinction of being the third-longest serving head of the Union government after Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.

A former governor of RBI, Singh—who is often described as the architect of India's economic reforms—entered politics in 1991 when he was made Finance Minister by the then Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao.