Atal Bihari Vajpayee: Nation mourns the death of the former Prime Minister
In February 1999, he inaugurated Delhi-Lahore bus service.
Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee breathed his last on Thursday at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). He was 93.
Former Prime Minister & Bharat Ratna #AtalBihariVaajpayee passes away in AIIMS. He was 93. pic.twitter.com/r12aIPF5G0
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018
As his health condition deteriorated and he was on life support system from Wednesday night, several state chief ministers reached Delhi on Thursday morning.
On June 11, Vajpayee was admitted to AIIMS with a kidney infection, chest congestion, urinary tract infection and low urine output.
For over four decades, Vajpayee was a member of Parliament — he was elected ten times to the Lok Sabha and twice to the Rajya Sabha. He was the PM between 1996 and 2004 in three non-consecutive terms.
In Morarji Desai’s Cabinet, he was the minister of external affairs.
In 2009, he retired from active politics owing to health concerns.
Vajpayee's tryst with politics took place during the Quit India Movement in 1942 when he was arrested for 23 days along with his elder brother. He was again arrested during Emergency.
Vajpayee was one of the founding members of the erstwhile Bharatiya Jana Sangh, which he also headed from 1968 to 1972.
India grieves the demise of our beloved Atal Ji. His passing away marks the end of an era. He lived for the nation and served it assiduously for decades. My thoughts are with his family, BJP Karyakartas and millions of admirers in this hour of sadness. Om Shanti.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 16, 2018
It was Atal Ji's exemplary leadership that set the foundations for a strong, prosperous and inclusive India in the 21st century. His futuristic policies across various sectors touched the lives of each and every citizen of India.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 16, 2018
Atal Ji's passing away is a personal and irreplaceable loss for me. I have countless fond memories with him. He was an inspiration to Karyakartas like me. I will particularly remember his sharp intellect and outstanding wit.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 16, 2018
It was due to the perseverance and struggles of Atal Ji that the BJP was built brick by brick. He travelled across the length and breadth of India to spread the BJP's message, which led to the BJP becoming a strong force in our national polity and in several states.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 16, 2018
Today India lost a great son. Former PM, Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji, was loved and respected by millions. My condolences to his family & all his admirers. We will miss him. #AtalBihariVajpayee
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 16, 2018
Following Janata's victory in the 1977 general elections, he became the minister of external affairs in Prime Minister Morarji Desai's cabinet. He became the first person to deliver a speech to the United Nations General Assembly in Hindi.
Seven day state mourning and public holiday tomorrow has been declared by Bihar Government #AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/JkXzpyxIcG
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018
Former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVaajpayee was awarded Bharat Ratna in 2014, Padma Vibhushan in 1992 and Lokmanya Tilak awards and Best Parliamentarian award in 1994 pic.twitter.com/DNVW1BEaU2
— PIB India (@PIB_India) August 16, 2018
When the Janata government collapsed in 1979, Vajpayee restructured the Jana Sangh into the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1980. He was the first president of the BJP.
During his second term as the Prime Minister, Vajpayee initiated a diplomatic peace process with Pakistan. In February 1999, he inaugurated Delhi-Lahore bus service.