New Delhi: Bharat Ratna and three-time prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee breathed his last at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi on Thursday.
Vajpayee, who was suffering from a prolonged illness for over a decade, was 93.
Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee passes away aged 93. Follow Live Updates here.
As news of his worsening health spread since last night, BJP leaders, both in the centre and its chief ministers in various states, made their way to AIIMS in Delhi.
Prime Minister Modi led the tributes in mourning the loss of Vajpayee and termed it the “end of an era”.
PM Modi met him twice in the last 24 hours. Earlier today, veteran BJP leader LK Advani, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Former J&K CM Farooq Abdullah, among others, met him at the hospital.
Here is what the leaders’s had to say:
LK Advani, Atalji’s long-time colleague and friend, called him the tallest statesman and was at a “loss of words”.
“I am at a loss of words to express my deep grief and sadness today as we all mourn the passing away of one of India’s tallest statesmen, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. To me, Atalji was more than a senior colleague- in fact he was my closest friend for over 65 years… Atalji will be remembered as the pioneer of the first ever stable non-Congress coalition government at the Centre and I had the privilege of working as his deputy for six years,” Advani said in a statement.
He ended the note saying he would “miss Atalji immensely”.
In a series of tweets, PM Narendra Modi said “India grieves the demise of our beloved Atal Ji”.
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
Rahul Gandhi
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
Rajnath Singh
Atalji was a true ‘Ajatshatru’ who had many friends across the political spectrum. He believed in political consensus and his beliefs had consequential effect on Indian politics. — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 16, 2018
Rajinikanth
I’m saddened to hear the demise of a great statesman Shri.Vajpayee ji. May his soul Rest In Peace. — Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) August 16, 2018
Omar Abdullah
Vajpayee Sahib is no more & I feel a personal sense of loss at his passing. Thank you sir for the opportunities, for the trust you reposed in me, for the opportunities to travel with you & to learn from you. You will be greatly missed #AtalBihariVajpayee — Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) August 16, 2018
Words mean so little at a time like this but words are all we have to convey the deepest condolences to Gunu, to Neha, to Ranjan & the entire family. May God give you strength to bear this tremendous loss. #AtalBihariVajpayee — Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) August 16, 2018
Mamata Banerjee
Very very saddened that the great statesman and former PM Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji is no more with us. His passing away is a very big loss to our nation. I will always cherish the many fond memories. Condolences to his family and his many admirers — Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) August 16, 2018
Smriti Irani
Bharat Ratna, former Prime Minister, poet politician, my Baapji left for heavenly abode. Om Shanti ???? — Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) August 16, 2018
काल के कपाल पर लिखा-मिटाया भी, गीत नया गाया भी। कितने कार्यकर्ता ऐसे हैं जिनको प्रेम दिया, मार्गदर्शन दिया; कितने इतिहास के पन्ने हैं जिन पर नाम हैं उनका। अटल जी अमर हैं। pic.twitter.com/jkDkkAKl4W — Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) August 16, 2018
Manmohan Singh
I have learnt with profound sorrow about the sad demise of Bharat Ratna #AtalBihariVaajpayee ji. An excellent orator, an impressive poet, an exceptional public servant, an outstanding Parliamentarian and a great Prime Minister: Dr.Manmohan Singh (file pic) pic.twitter.com/2E23QHZpbf — ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018
Akhilesh Yadav
एक महान जीवन का अंत। लेकिन एक प्रेरणा जो सदा जीवित रहेगी। अटल जी को हमारी भावपूर्ण श्रद्धांजलि! — Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) August 16, 2018
Nitish Kumar
भारत के पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री एवं भारत रत्न अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी जी का निधन दुःखद। देश ने सबसे बड़े राजनीतिक शख्सियत, प्रखर वक्ता, लेखक, चिंतक, अभिभावक एवं करिश्माई व्यक्तित्व को खो दिया। उन्हें विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि। #AtalBihariVajpayee https://t.co/KhJvuTVaar — Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) August 16, 2018
Sushil Kumar Modi
पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री श्री अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी जी के निधन पर भावभीनी श्रद्धांजलि एवं श्रद्धासुमन अर्पित pic.twitter.com/xngbvTz6lb — Sushil Kumar Modi (@SushilModi) August 16, 2018
Arvind Kejriwal
Am deeply saddened. A great loss for India. https://t.co/rPNC7AoPpH — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 16, 2018
BJP
ओजस्वी वक्ता, जनकवि व अपने व्यक्तित्व और कृतित्व से मां भारती को विश्व में गौरवान्वित करने वाले भारतीय राजनीति के शिखर पुरुष महान जननेता श्रद्धेय अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी जी को अश्रुपूर्ण श्रद्धांजलि। pic.twitter.com/WSIkTLGqPu Mirwaiz Umar FarooqSad to hear about the demise of Vajpayeeji. He was a rare Indian leader who had the humaneness to seek the resolution of the festering Kashmir dispute in the wide ambit of humanity and not within the confines of a constitution and he made efforts to walk his talk when he ...— Mirwaiz Umar Farooq (@MirwaizKashmir) August 16, 2018
— BJP (@BJP4India) August 16, 2018
Congress
Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a great leader, loved by many & revered by all. We grieve his demise & our thoughts & prayers are with his family today. #AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/MmtBkPBjrK — Congress (@INCIndia) August 16, 2018
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