Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, one of India's most charismatic leaders who led the nation through several crises and held together a tenuous coalition with his inclusive politics, died today at the age of 93.
File picture of former Prime Minister A.B.Vajpayee with the former Tamil Nadu chief minister
Chennai:
Tamil Nadu government has declared holiday for educational institutions, state and central government organisations as a sign of respect to BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee who passed away today.
TN government has declared August 17 as a holiday for all educational institutions, state government offices and offices of state PSU's and government bodies as a mark of respect to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, according to the GO released today.
Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, one of India's most charismatic leaders who led the nation through several crises and held together a tenuous coalition with his inclusive politics, died today at the age of 93.
His death was announced by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospital where he was admitted June 11 with a variety of ailments.
Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit and Chief Minister K Palaniswami today expressed grief over the death of former Prime Minister A B Vajpayee.
In a statement, Purohit said Vajpayee was an outstanding statesman, a great orator and role model for politicians and poets and his death "fills me with great shock and grief."
"A great son of Mother India is no more. But his service to the people of India as the Prime Minister of the nation, memories of his speeches in Parliament and outside, and his qualities of tolerance and magnanimity will live on forever," the governor said.
Highlighting his administrative skills, Palaniswami said Vajpayee, the first prime minister from BJP, had slogged his entire life.
DMK working president M K Stalin said, Despite ideological differences, the late 'Kalaignar' M Karunanidhi shared cordial relationship with Vajpayee.
"By taking part in a protest by Tamil Eelam Supporters Organisation, organised in Madurai, for the rights of Tamils in Sri Lanka, Vajpayee made TN proud...it is a big loss to the country," he said.
AMMK, DMDK, MDMK, Tamil Maanila Congress also expressed grief over the death.