Leaders cutting across party lines paid homage to late former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray flew to Delhi to pay his last tributes. Congress MPs Jyotiraditya Scindia, Ghulam Nabi Azad Jairam Ramesh and others also paid homage to the deceased statesman.
Congress leader Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia pays tribute to former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee at his residence in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/NiuzHUvydd— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018
The governments of Pakistan and Bangladesh paid homage to former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who passed away at Delhi's AIIMS at 5:05pm today."He was a renowned statesman who contributed to bringing a change in Indo-Pak relations and remained key supporter of SAARC and regional cooperation for development. Pakistan government and people extend their heartfelt condolences to his family and to the Government and people of India," said the statement issued by Islamabad.Meanwhile, Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina said Vajpayee would be recalled in Dhaka as one who supported the war of Bangladesh's liberation. "As a token of recognition for his invaluable contribution to our Liberation War in 1971, Bangladesh government conferred on him Bangladesh Liberation War Honour. Today is a day of great sadness for all of us in Bangladesh," she said.
#WATCH: PM Narendra Modi speaks on the demise of former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee, says,"India has lost its 'anmol ratna'." pic.twitter.com/yPOMB9spOU— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018
Vajpayee's mortal remains has been brought to his residence in Delhi, were leaders across political parties, along with his supporters, would pay their final tributes. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was among the dignitaries to have reached the residence to pay homage to the late former PM.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee arrives at former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee's residence, where his mortal remains are kept. pic.twitter.com/ngVvygwBMw— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018
Vajpayee's funeral will be held tomorrow at the Smriti Sthal in the national capital. The mortal remains have been brought to his Delhi-based residence. "People can pay tribute to the late former PM between 6:30am to 8:30am. His body would then be taken to the BJP headquarters. At 1pm, the funeral procession will begun. At 5pm, the last rites will be held at Smriti Sthal," Amit Shah said.
BJP chief Amit Shah said the party has been dealt with a irreparable loss as they lost their first president guiding light.
The mortal remains of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be kept at the BJP headquarters in Delhi tomorrow for last tributes, news agency ANI reported.
In view of Atal Bihari Vajpayee's death, the National Executive meeting of the BJP, which was scheduled to be held on August 18-19, has been cancelled.
Union Cabinet meeting, chaired by the Prime Minister, is currently underway at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. The meet was called to discuss on the funeral of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The last rites are likely to be held at Vijay Ghat, the memorial of late former PM Lal Bahadur Shastri.
Reacting to Vajpayee's demise, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said: "Today India lost a great son. Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji, was loved and respected by millions. My condolences to his family and all his admirers. We will miss him."
New Delhi, Aug 16: Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Thursday remained on life support a day after his condition deteriorated at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) where he was admitted on June 11. The AIIMS is expected to released latest health bulletin on Atal Bihari Vajpayee's condition shortly. Catch live news updates on Atal Bihari Vajpayee's health condition here.
Earlier today, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and BJP chief Amit Shah visited the AIIMS where Atal Bihari Vajpayee is admitted. Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee will also visit the AIIMS later today. Meanwhile, a special hawan was performed in Gwalior, the birthplace of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, for a speedy recovery of the ailing BJP veteran.
On Wednesday, a host of political leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the AIIMS after the hospital said that Vajpayee's condition worsened. "Atal Bihari Vajpayee's condition has worsened over the last 24 hours. His condition is critical, and he is on life support system," said the last statement issued by AIIMS late on Wednesday. Vajpayee was admitted to AIIMS for a routine check-up.
Vajpayee, a diabetic patient, is under the supervision of Dr Randeep Guleria, a pulmonologist and currently the Director of AIIMS. Guleria has served as personal physician to Vajpayee for over three decades. He served as the 10th Prime Minister of the country, first term for 13 days in 1996 and then from 1998 to 2004. He is the first non-Congress Prime Minister to serve a full five-year term. Stay connected with us to get instant updates on Vajpayee's health and bulletin.