Atal Bihari Vajpayee and BJP stalwart passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi on Thursday at 5:05 pm. He was being treated by a team of doctors for nine weeks. Vajpayee was three-time Prime Minister of India and one of the country’s most respected politicians.
The centre has announced seven-day mourning throughout India and state funeral for the former prime minister. Mr Vajpayee, the BJP’s tallest leader, was admitted to hospital in the month of June with a urinary tract infection and chest congestion.
A number of leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh, visited AIIMS over the last two days to enquire about Vajpayee’s health condition. PM Modi was at the AIIMS on Thursday afternoon as well as Wednesday night.
Among other leaders and ministers who visited the AIIMS were Piyush Goyal, Meenakshi Lekhi, Suresh Prabhu, Jitendra Singh, Harsh Vardhan, Shahnawaz Hussain, Smriti Irani and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan. Congress president Rahul Gandhi also visited AIIMS on Thursday around noon.
Vajpayee was awarded India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in March 2015. During his second term as prime minister, Vajpayee ordered nuclear tests in May 1998 in a strategic masterstroke to blunt Pakistan’s nuclear ambitions. He followed this up with peace overtures to Pakistan, riding on the first direct bus from India to Pakistan in February 1999.
Narendra Modi mourns on Vajpayee’s death and wrote a series of tweets:
India grieves the demise of our beloved Atal Ji.
His passing away marks the end of an era. He lived for the nation and served it assiduously for decades. My thoughts are with his family, BJP Karyakartas and millions of admirers in this hour of sadness. Om Shanti.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 16, 2018
It was Atal Ji's exemplary leadership that set the foundations for a strong, prosperous and inclusive India in the 21st century. His futuristic policies across various sectors touched the lives of each and every citizen of India.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 16, 2018
Atal Ji's passing away is a personal and irreplaceable loss for me. I have countless fond memories with him. He was an inspiration to Karyakartas like me. I will particularly remember his sharp intellect and outstanding wit.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 16, 2018
It was due to the perseverance and struggles of Atal Ji that the BJP was built brick by brick. He travelled across the length and breadth of India to spread the BJP's message, which led to the BJP becoming a strong force in our national polity and in several states.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 16, 2018
Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia announced on Twitter that all Delhi government offices, schools, and other institutions will remain closed on Friday as “a mark of respect” for Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
All schools including private schools also shall remain closed. https://t.co/3aB8fBs5yf
— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) August 16, 2018
A meeting of the Union Cabinet has been convened to mourn the former prime minister.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi said India had lost a “great son” “loved and respected by millions”.
Today India lost a great son. Former PM, Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji, was loved and respected by millions. My condolences to his family & all his admirers. We will miss him. #AtalBihariVajpayee
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 16, 2018
President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted:
Extremely sad to hear of the passing of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, our former Prime Minister and a true Indian statesman. His leadership, foresight, maturity and eloquence put him in a league of his own. Atalji, the Gentle Giant, will be missed by one and all #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 16, 2018
RIP Atal Ji!
3 comments
RIP to the former Prime Minister…🙏
RIP Atal ji🙏
RIP Atal Ji
Comments are closed.