Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee passes away
Political parties on Thursday mourned the demise of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, as he passed away at AIIMS this evening after a prolonged illness. Leaders described him as a visionary statesman with acceptability across a diverse ideological spectrum.
India’s most respected leaders who led the nation through several crises and held together a tenuous coalition with his inclusive politics was bid an emotional goodbye by several political entities.
President Ram Nath Kovind
Extremely sad to hear of the passing of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, our former PM and a true Indian statesman. His leadership, foresight, maturity and eloquence put him in a league of his own. Atal ji, the Gentle Giant, will be missed by one and all.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh
This is a very sad moment for us that Atal ji is no more. Shortly his mortal remains will be taken to his residence where people can pay tribute to him.
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu
Never expected end will come so soon. He was a true Indian. He never hesitated to speak from his heart. He was the tallest leader in India post-independence. Vajpayee ji is 'ajatshatru' of modern times because he always maintained dignity and decorum.
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan
Atal ji was like a star in the sky of politics, which shone brighter than everyone else. He had the unique ability to bring everyone together. Even if you ask the opposition they hold a sense of respect for him.
BJP leader LK Advani
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, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. To me, Atal ji was more than a senior colleague- in fact he was my closest friend for over 65 years.
Former PM Manmohan Singh
I have learnt with profound sorrow about the sad demise of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji. An excellent orator, an impressive poet, an exceptional public servant, an outstanding Parliamentarian and a great Prime Minister.
Former President Pranab Mukherjee
Though he was suffering for a long time I did not believe that the end will come. Fate snatched him away from us. He carried conviction with everybody. No doubt that the country will be poorer in the loss of Atal Bihari Vajpayee who was like a colossus for almost 6 decades. I pay my deepest regards for this great son of India.
Former Vice President Mohd Hamid Ansari
Atal Bihari Vajpayee was an eminent statesman known for his wisdom moderation intact. His way of communication was unique and made him extremely popular. This kind of a person comes once in a blue moon. He will be remembered for a long time.
Congress President 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 and all his admirers. We will miss him.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath
He worked in the national interest rather than personal interest, he brought a political stability to our country. His ashes will be spread in every river in UP to respect his grand stature.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti
The demise of Atal Bihari Vajpayee is not only a loss for the country, it is big loss for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He was the first Prime Minister to understand the agony of our people.
Mulayam Singh Yadav
It is a big loss for the country, he was a very simple man inspite of being such a senior leader. There was not even a shred of arrogance in him. Current leaders need to learn a lot from him.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh
We grew up listening to him, learning from him, inspired by him. There was no electronic media those days, but many of our college-mates, who did not subscribe to our ideology, would come over to his rallies, just to pick up speaking skills from his oratory.
Union Minister Harsh Vardhan
A visionary statesman, with political sagacity, his acceptability across diverse ideological spectrum endeared him to all.
Union Minister VK Singh
India has lost one of her most beloved sons, a statesman, and unarguably one of the best PMs to have led the country. Rest In Peace Atal ji, we will miss you.
Congress MP Milind Deora
Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a poet and statesman who put country before party. In the spirit of bipartisanship, he worked closely with my late father Murlibhai to strengthen Indo-US ties and liberalise India's insurance sector. My condolences to Gunu didi, Ranjan, his family and supporter.
Ram Vilas Paswan
He was a great politician, intense speaker, a true diplomat, having clarity in thinking, warrior of social justice and a great nationalist.
Union Minister Suresh Prabhu
Atal ji struggled all his life to uphold the ideals so dear to him, it culminated in his becoming PM in 1996, period of 1998-2004 when he held the position again, will be always remembered Good Governance. Fought with ailments, last few years, today fight ends. We always will miss you.
Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma
It is a great loss to the country. It was a joy to listen to Atal ji, he cut across ideology, he was a person who had compassion and his belief to take India together is to be remembered. India has become poor in his loss. He has left a deep imprint.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
He may be not with us physically, but his vision will always be with us, losing a person whom we always looked up to is a personal loss for all of us and I am sure we will always take inspiration from his ideology.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik
I am deeply grieved by the sad demise of former PM, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He was one of the tallest leaders of the country. He was much loved by the people of India and more so by the people of Odisha. May his soul rest in peace.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan
He was an inspiration and support. It's an end of an era of Indian politics. He wasn't among those to lose battle. He was a fighter. He was a great politician and loved by millions. It's unimaginable to think that our beloved Atal Ji is no more with us. This is an end of a political era, the void of his absence can never be filled.
Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari
I just pray the almighty to receive his soul and give strength to his followers and well-wishers to bear the loss.
