Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee passed away at 93. (Express archive)
Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee passed away at 93 on Thursday, August 16. The BJP stalwart was admitted to AIIMS on June 11, after he was diagnosed with kidney tract infection, urinary tract infection and low urine output. His condition has worsened over the last 24 hours and he was put on life support systems after his condition became critical.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with several leaders including Senior BJP leader LK Advani, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP president Amit Shah, EAM Sushma Swaraj, and Radha Mohan Singh arrived at the hospital on Wednesday to check on the former PM.
Several people from the sports fraternity reacted on Vajpayee’s demise and expressed their sorrow:
#AtalBihariVajpayee ji – A leader par excellence, a daring PM who made Pokhran possible, a highly principled politician & a poet of inspirational grit who was admired across party lines.
His demise is an irreparable loss, and marks the end of an era. ॐ शांति शांति 🙏
My Favourite PM is no more….R.I.P 😔#AtalBihariVajpayee
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) 16 August 2018
— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) 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
Extremely sad to hear the passing of Ajit Wadekar sir, one of the most successful Captains of Indian Cricket. My condolences to the entire family and the loved ones.
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) August 16, 2018
End of an era #RIPAtalBihariVaajpayee 🙁
— Gutta Jwala (@Guttajwala) 16 August 2018
An iconic leader, a visionary, a former prime minister, a Bharat Ratna. #AtalBihariVaajpayee ji really stood out tall as a statesman in Indian Politics. #RIP sir 🙏🏻
— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) 16 August 2018
One of the finest leaders, India has ever had. Feel a lot of gratitude for the love he showered upon me and also wished well for me in an election rally. The nation will miss him. Condolences to his loved ones #AtalBihariVaajpayee pic.twitter.com/Rr03FrfYWP
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) 16 August 2018
The Indian Cricket Team and BCCI condoles the sad demise of former India Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Atalji dedicated his life in service of the nation.
— BCCI (@BCCI) 16 August 2018
Atal Bihari Vajpayee served as the Prime Minister of India on three occasions. His first term came in 1996 which lasted for 13 days. Later he was appointed as the PM for elevon months from 1998 to 1999. He then won the elections to serve a full five-year term as the prime minister between 1999 to 2004.