Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who had been admitted to the AIIMS hospital in New Delhi for the past few weeks, died on Thursday. He was 93. Condolences poured in for the former PM who was one of the founding members of the Jan Sangh in 1951.
Seven-day mourning will be observed
A seven-day state mourning will be observed throughout India from August 16 to 22, said an official statement. During this period the national flag will be flown at half mast throughout India where it is regularly flown. It has also been decided that the State funeral will be accorded to Mr. Vajpayee.
Advani condoles Vajpayee's death
L.K. Advani, then Deputy Prime Minister, presents a life-size portrait of then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the latter’s 78th birthday in New Delhi on December 25, 2002. | Photo Credit: Rajeev Bhatt
“I cherish the memories of my long association with him, right from our days as pracharaks of the RSS, to the inception of Bharatiya Jana Singh, the struggle of the dark months during the Emergency leading to the formation of the Janata Party and later the emergence of the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1980," said L.K. Advani in a statement.
Delhi govt. offices, schools to remain closed tomorrow
All Delhi government offices, schools and other institutions shall remain closed tomorrow, as mark of respect, said Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.
Vajpayee's life in pictures
With a poetic bent, and at the head of a coalition of political parties that were ideologically disparate whom he dealt with deftly, Mr. Vajpayee has been termed the “right man in the wrong party.” Here is the life and times of former Prime Minister in pictures.
Union Cabinet to condole Vajpayee's demise
Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s mortal remains will be taken to his residence where people can pay their last respects, said Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
Union Cabinet headed by PM Narendra Modi will meet in a short while to decide the protocol to be followed for State mourning of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Preparations underway in front of Atal bihari Vajpayee's residence in New Delhi | Photo Credit: Sandeep Saxena
A poetic orator
Known as much for his meaningful pauses as for his poetic oratory, Mr. Vajpayee’s legacy is now in the domain of history writers. What he says of himself and his long career in India’s public life is probably best encapsulated by some lines from his poem: “Kaal ke kapaal par likhta mitaata hoon, geet naya gaata hoon (I write and erase lines on the forehead of time, I sing a new song)”. Here is obituary written by Nistula Hebbar.
Tributes pour in
Leaders from both sides of the aisle have condoled his death. "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," said L.K. Advani.
Vajpayee, a 10-time Lok Sabha member
Atal Bihari Vajpayee had a unique distinction of being a member of Parliament for 12 terms -- a 10-time Lok Sabha member and twice of Rajya Sabha. The only time he lost a Lok Sabha election was against Madhavrao Scindia of Congress from Gwalior in 1984, when he lost by a margin of close to 2 lakh votes. Vajpayee represented Lucknow in the 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th Lok Sabha from 1991 to 2009.
Vajpayee, the 1st Indian leader to address UNGA in Hindi
Mr.Vajpayee, the first External Affairs Minister to deliver a speech in Hindi at the UN General Assembly, effectively raised India’s stand on key issues like nuclear disarmament, state-sponsored terrorism and reforms at the world body.