New Delhi, August 17:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Bharatiya Janata Party Chief Amit Shah and other leaders took part in former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's funeral procession by walking four kilometres to Smriti Sthal.  Not just political leaders, but hundreds have joined the cortege carrying the mortal remains of the BJP stalwart. Describing Atal Bihari Vajpayee as a 'father figure', Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the void left by the former Prime Minister's death could never be filled.

The final journey of Atal Bihari Vajpayee has begun as his mortal remains are being taken to Smriti Sthal from BJP headquarters. Vajpayee will be laid to rest at 4:00 pm. Battling nearly nine weeks of critical health at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi, Vajpayee died on Thursday evening.

Watch: PM Modi, Amit Shah and other BJP leaders also take part in Vajpayee's funeral procession:

Former prime minister and BJP patriarch Atal Bihari Vajpayee, one of India's most charismatic leaders, died here following prolonged illness today, AIIMS hospital announced. He was 93. "It is with profound grief that we inform about the sad demise of former Prime Minister of India Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee at 5.05 pm," the hospital said in a statement.

The BJP patriarch breathed his last on Thursday following a prolonged illness. He was 93. Vajpayee was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on June 11 with a kidney tract infection, urinary tract infection, low urine output and chest congestion.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 17, 2018 03:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).