Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 94th birth anniversary today. A special prayer meet was organised at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal in memory of Vajpayee, who died on August 16 this year.
PM Modi's predecessor Manmohan Singh also participated in the prayers and offered tributes to Vajpayee. BJP president Amit Shah was also present at the occasion.
In a tweet, the prime minister said, "Tributes to Atal ji on his jayanti (birth anniversary). We reiterate our commitment towards creating the India he dreamt of."
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Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 25, 2018
Tributes to Atal Ji on his Jayanti. We reiterate our commitment towards creating the India he dreamt of. pic.twitter.com/CnD1NtQCWp
The Bharatiya Janata Party too wrote a tweet in Vajpayee's memory, saying that he was source of inspiration. "The BJP offers its tributes to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the fatherly figure who became a source of inspiration for lakhs of BJP workers."
BJP (@BJP4India) December 25, 2018
The Congress too paid tributes to Vajpayee:
"Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a leader who was respected and loved by all. A man who believed in the power of democracy above all. We honour him today on his birth anniversary."
Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a leader who was respected and loved by all. A man who believed in the power of democracy above all. We honour him today on his birth anniversary. pic.twitter.com/DudrJz9c07
Congress (@INCIndia) December 25, 2018
West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress president Mamata Banerjee said Vajpayee was a statesman who rose above partisan politics.
Tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji on his birth anniversary. He was a statesman who rose above partisan politics for the country’s good. We miss him a lot
Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 25, 2018
On Monday (December 24), PM Modi released a commemorative coin worth Rs 100 in honour of Vajpayee, a Bharat Ratna recipient. Speaking on the occasion, Modi said that our minds are not ready to believe that former PM Vajpayee is no longer with us. "He was a stalwart loved and respected across all sections of society," Modi said.