Condolences poured in from all corners as former Prime Minister and BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee breathed his last at All India Institute of Medical Science, Delhi. The 93-year-old leader was suffering from multiple ailments and was in AIIMS since June. He was put on life support system by the doctors after his condition became critical in the last 24 hours.
In a series of tweets, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Vajpayee’s demise marks the end of an era and his leadership had set the foundation for a strong, prosperous and inclusive India in the 21st century.
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
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 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
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
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.
Former PM Manmohan Singh on Atal Bihari Vajapyee’s demise: “Have learnt with profound sorrow about the sad demise of Bharat Ratna #AtalBihariVajpayee. An excellent orator, an impressive poet, an exceptional public servant, an outstanding Parliamentarian and a great PM.”
Calling the veteran leader a great son of India, Congress President Rahul Gandhi said Vajpayee was 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 Ramnath Kovind said the Gentle Giant will be missed by one and all.
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
Home Minister Rajnath Singh called the former PM Ajatshatru, a person who does not have any enemies.
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
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called Vajpayee’s demise a great loss for India
Am deeply saddened. A great loss for India. https://t.co/rPNC7AoPpH
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 16, 2018
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor shared a few lines of the late poet-politician to remember his legacy
RIP. A great life ends. My tribute follows in @htTweets https://t.co/oCrLsLmUTr
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) August 16, 2018
Former Jammu Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah shared his grief on Vajpayee’s death
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
A great statesman, says 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,” said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
‘A reasoned critique, seeker of consensus,’ Pranab praises Vajpayee. “Deeply saddened at the passing away of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee,” said former President Pranab Mukherjee.
“A reasoned critique in opposition and a seeker of consensus as PM, Atal Ji was a democrat to the core. In his passing away, India has lost a great son and an era has come to an end. My deepest condolences,” he added.
“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, SP supremeo Mulayam Singh Yadav told ANI.
CPI leader Sitaram Yechury lauded the former PM for his willingness to engage with all political leaders.
Though we opposed each other vehemently on political & ideological issues Atal Behari Vajpayee ji’s good-nature, decency and willingness to engage with all political leaders always made him stand out. Condolences. pic.twitter.com/z6PvKWE1Go
— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) August 16, 2018
“All of us who knew Mr. #AtalBihariVajpayee are saddened to hear of his passing away. He was a great leader with a great sense of compassion and humour. He will be remembered fondly by a vast number of us,” Ratan Tata told ANI.
I tweeted this prized photo on Shri Vajpayee’s last birthday. It is with enormous grief that I remember him today and mourn his passing… pic.twitter.com/uszXdKPjfy
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) August 16, 2018
Sports stalwarts also paid tribute to Mr Vajpayee and remembered him as a great visionary
India is at a great loss today. Shri #AtalBihariVajpayee ji’s contributions to our nation have been innumerable. Thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 16, 2018
Asaman ko choo gaya, jo asmaan sa vishal tha, dharti mein simat gaya, jo mitti jaisa narm tha.
Kaun hai jo Atal reh paya zindagi bhar, Atal banke wo zindagi ko paa gaya.
Om Shanti #AtalBihariVajpayee ji __ pic.twitter.com/56Xi1sqzEf— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 16, 2018
A man of class and dignity. Always put India first. #AtalBihariVajpayee
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 16, 2018
One of the Greatest PM this Country has ever seen.A visionary, A poet, A statesman, A man who won over million hearts. Man who deserves nothing but respect.
Bharat Ratna #AtalBihariVajpayee is no more with us.His contribution for the motherland will inspire generations to come. pic.twitter.com/XhDk0WrNR5— Vijender Singh (@boxervijender) August 16, 2018
Leaders live exemplary life to make our world better & that’s what #AtalBihariVajpayee ji did for India. Most of us grew up in his remarkable leadership and saw our country shaping up in a super power! It’s end of an Era & a moment of extreme grief! #RIP #AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/K1imIcfm9I
— Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) August 16, 2018
My Favourite PM is no more….R.I.P _#AtalBihariVajpayee
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) August 16, 2018
Tributes also started pouring in from Film Industry
RIP #AtalBihariVaajpayeeJi .. you will be remembered as one of India’s greatest leaders, as an exemplary statesman, as a tour de force for peace and unity and most of all as a genuine, warm, approachable human being.
— Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) August 16, 2018
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
Deeply saddened to hear about the passing away of Sri Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji. Heartfelt condolences to the family and dear ones of the great man.
— Dhanush (@dhanushkraja) August 16, 2018
“Let no one challenge India’s secularism.” – Atal Bihari Vajpayee #Salute #Respect
Growing up in India in the 1980’s and 90’s one can never forget what a deep impact #AtalBihariVaajpayee ji made on us… he was a great statesman and leader. #RIP— Dia Mirza (@deespeak) August 16, 2018
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