Atal Bihari Vajpayee Death News Updates: Leaders Cutting Across Party Lines Pay Homage to Former PM

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.

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.

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.

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."

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik recalled late former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee as extraordinary leader for whom the development of the nation was the prime agenda. "He was deeply loved by the people of India, and ofcourse, the people of Odisha," he said. Watch his full statement below.

"I have learnt with profound sorrow about the sad demise of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji. An excellent orator, an impressive poet, an exceptional public servant, an outstanding Parliamentarian and a great Prime Minister," former PM Manmohan Singh said.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the former Prime Minister of India and one of the tallest political leaders in the post independent India, passed away on Thursday, August 16 at 5.05 pm. The Bharat Ratna and great orator was admitted at AIIMS in June and had been undergoing treatment there. But his health deteriorated in the last 36 hours and he breathed his last today evening.

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has died at the age of 93. The nation is mourning the loss of the leader.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has reached AIIMS as Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee continues to be critical. AIIMS will release the medical bulletin at 5.30 PM.

"Chhattisgarh and the entire nation is praying for him. We pray to the God to make him healthy soon and bless him with a long life," said Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh. Check the ANI tweet below:

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Deputy CM Sushil Modi and Bihar Minister Nand Kishore Yadav arrive at AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) where former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee is admitted. He is on life support system. Check the pictures of the hospital below:

As the health of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee deteriorates, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik got emotional as he recalled his days working with the former Prime Minister. Check the ANI tweet below:

Social activist Kailash Satyarthi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi are at AIIMS where Atal Bihari Vajpayee is battling for his life. Vajpayee's condition is critical since Wednesday evening.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi has arrived at AIIMS where Atal Bihari Vajpayee is admitted. Vajpayee's condition is critical and he is on life support.