Bharitya Janata Party leader and former Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari passed away on Thursday at the age of 93. Vajpayee was admitted at the premier All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on June 11 with a kidney tract infection, urinary tract infection, low urine output and chest congestion. Vajpayee had been on life-support since Wednesday night. The hospital said that Atal Bihari Vajpayee's condition worsened over the past 24 hours.?
He ruled the country for 13 days in 1996, 13 months in 1998 and for almost six years from 1999.
India mourns the demise of India's stalwart leader. As his mortal remains will be taken to his residence at 7.30pm, entire nation grives the loss of the leader.
Here is how the nation expressed its grief on Twitter:
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, said President Ram Nath Kovind.
Former prime minister Manmohan Singh said, "Have learnt with profound sorrow about the sad demise of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee. An excellent orator, an impressive poet, an exceptional public servant, an outstanding Parliamentarian and a great prime minister."
US ambassador to India Ken Juster said, "The US grieves with India on the loss of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. He will be remembered for his immense contribution to bolstering US-India relations and for recognizing us as natural allies. We extend our deepest condolences to the people of India."
China's ambassador to India Luo Zhaohui said, "Deeply saddened by the passing away of the Honorable Atal Bihari Vajpayee. We will never forget his great contribution to China India relations."
Not only politicians, but even the film and sports fraternity have also expressed grief: