Vajpayee’s Void Can Never be Filled: PM Modi Pays Last Tribute

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his last tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee who passed away on the evening of Thursday, 16 August in New Delhi’s AIIMS.

As the country mourned the loss of one of its charismatic prime ministers, well-wishers thronged Vajpayee’s residence where his mortal remains have been kept, wrapped in tricolour.

Tomorrow, 17 August, his body will be brought to the BJP headquarters at 9 AM, following which he will be accorded state funeral at Smriti Sthal.

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who has been ailing for long, was, on 11 June, admitted to AIIMS for a routine check-up, the BJP said in a statement in New Delhi.

The hospital, in a statement, said that Vajpayee's condition is stable and a team of doctors under the supervision of Dr Randeep Guleria is conducting a number of routine tests. Dr Guleria serves as the director of AIIMS.

The BJP leader ruled India as prime minister for thirteen days in 1996, following which he again took the office for 13 months from 1998-99, before finally pulling a complete five-year stint as PM from 1999-2004.

As his health deteriorated, he slowly withdrew from public life and has been confined to his residence for the last few years.

Shortly after Vajpayee was hospitalised, Congress President Rahul Gandhi visited the former prime minister at AIIMS, on the evening of 11 June.

In what seemed like a hurried after-thought, BJP bigwig PM Narendra Modi and Amit Shah rushed to the hospital to pay a visit to the party senior.

During his 50-minute long stay at the hospital, PM Modi enquired about the well-being of Vajpayee and met his family members, official sources said.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda and former Union Minister MM Joshi were among other BJP leaders who visited Vajpayee at the hospital.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and senior BJP leader LK Advani reached AIIMS to visit former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

While earlier reports said that Vajpayee was admitted for a routine check-up and that his condition is stable, hospital sources confirmed to PTI that the former prime minister was admitted following complaints of lower respiratory tract infection and kidney issues and is undergoing dialysis.

"He was admitted with complaints of lower respiratory tract infection and kidney issues. He is in the ICU and undergoing dialysis," a source at the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) said.

A team of doctors under the supervision of AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria are conducting tests on the 93-year-old leader, a statement from the hospital said.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan conveyed his wishes for Vajpayee’s speedy recovery at a press conference in Bhopal. He said, "I pray to God for the speedy recovery of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who has always inspired us to fight against hardship. The whole country is waiting for you to return healthy from AIIMS."

Union Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan after visiting former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee at AIIMS said, “He is fine, there is nothing to worry.”

Union Minister VIjay Goel said that he hopes Vajpayee recovers soon and is discharged by 12 June. He told reporters, “His medical bulletin has been released, he had a urine infection and is being treated for that. I have complete hope that he will be able to go home tomorrow.”

A statement by AIIMS, New Delhi said, “Former PM Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee was admitted today at AIIMS, New Delhi for investigation and evaluation. He has been diagnosed with a urinary tract infection for which appropriate treatment has been closely monitored and treated by a team of doctors.”

BJP workers in Kanpur conducted a havan to pray for the speedy recovery for former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) founder and general secretary Vaiko arrived at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to meet former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The official Twitter handle of Congress put out a tweet to wish Atal Bihari Vajpayee a speedy recovery. The All India Mahila Congress also took to Twitter and said that it prays for Vajpayee.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi had visited the ailing former PM at AIIMS on Monday, 11 June.

Union Minsiter Arun Jaitley took to Twitter to wish for Vajpayee’s speedy recovery.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman called him a “gentle and fine” person.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis took to Twitter to express concern over the health of the former PM.

Union Ministers Pon Radhakrishnan and Harsimrat Kaur Badal also took to Twitter to wish him a speedy recovery.

Senior BJP leaders and Lok Sabha MP Shatrughan Sinha called him the “true hero of independent India.”

DMK Leader MK Stalin, on behalf of M Karunanidhi and the party wished for Vajpayee’s speedy recovery.

Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu, while speaking to the media, said that he spoke to officers in Delhi to enquire about Vajpayee’s health.

“I spoke to the officers in Delhi on the health of Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Praying to God for his speedy recovery and his return to home with good health,” said Naidu.

A health bulletin released by AIIMS over Vajpayee’s health stated that the former PM is stable and is responding to treatment. It further stated that he will be hospitalised till the infection is controlled.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reached AIIMS to pay a visit to his ailing predecessor Vajpayee at 6pm on Tuesday.

The AIIMS ruled out discharging Atal Bihari Vajpayee for now, stating that he is likely to remain in AIIMS for few more days, reported News18.

The AIIMS held a press conference on Wednesday, 13 June and announced that former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee is responding positively to the treatment and were hopeful that he will make full recovery over the next few days.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid a visit to Atal Bihari Vajpayee at AIIMS, Delhi in Wednesday, minutes after the hospital announced that the former PM is recovering well.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh BJP chief Amit Shah visited former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in New Delhi’s All India Institute for Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospital, reported ANI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived at AIIMS hospital to visit former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, reported ANI.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal reaches All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to meet former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Union Ministers Jitendra Singh, Suresh Prabhu, Ashwini Kumar Choubey, and Harsh Vardhan visited former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at AIIMS Hospital.

Former J&K CM Omar Abdullah as well as Tamil Nadu BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan tweeted their thoughts to the ailing leader, whose condition has reportedly deteriorated.

AIIMS New Delhi said that the next medical bulletin on Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s health would be released early 16th August, CNN News18 reported.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu visited All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) where former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is admitted.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter to pray for former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s health.

Kejriwal is also expected to visit All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) where former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is admitted, reported ANI.

BJP President Amit Shah arrives at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) where former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is admitted.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to visit former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in AIIMS.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to travel to Delhi on Thursday, 16 August, reported ANI.

She will visit AIIMS where former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is admitted.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi to visit AIIMS where former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is admitted.

Students of Gwalior’s Government Ayurvedic College pray for health of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who is admitted at AIIMS and is in critical condition, reported ANI.

The condition of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee remains critical and he continues to be on advanced life-support system, PTI reported quoting sources.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh has arrived at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences to visit former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Speaking to ANI, former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s niece Kanti Mishra said, “I have been praying to god that I am able to see him give a speech once again. Our family can never ever erase that image of his from our minds. I hope he gets well soon.”

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar, senior BJP leader LK Advani and his daughter Pratibha Advani have reached AIIMS hospital to meet Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

UP Deputy Chief Minister, Dinesh Sharma broke down while speaking about former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Speaking to ANI, he said, “The news of his ill health has saddened me. He has always been an inspiration and a guide to me.”

Bihar Deputy CM Sushil Modi is expected to visit Delhi to meet Atal Bihari Vajpayee, CNNNews18 reported.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit former Prime Minister Visit Atal Bihari Vajpayee again on Thursday, 16 August, say media reports.

He had earlier visited Vajpayee at Delhi’s AIIMS on Tuesday, 15 August.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh arrive at All India Institute of Medical Sciences where former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is admitted.

“Saddened to hear about the critical health condition of Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji Praying for his speedy recovery,” tweeted Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, N Chandrababu Naidu.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is leaving for Delhi to meet ailing former prime minister.

Speaking to ANI, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, said, “He is our idol. His presence inspired and encouraged us. We pray for his health. No one can ever be like Atal Ji, and campaigning for him was an honour for me.”

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has urged his supporters to not celebrate his birthday owing to Atal Bihari Vajpayee critical health condition and the floods in Kerala, say media reports.

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s lungs and kidneys are said to be in a bad condition, PTI reported quoting sources.

Prayers underway for Atal Bihari Vajpayee in ND Convent Public School in Lucknow.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has reached AIIMS along with Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia to meet Atal Bihari Vajpayee after his health deteriorated on Wednesday, 15 August.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has suspended all its programmes including the national executive meet, scheduled for 18-19 August, owing to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s critical health condition, reported CNN News18.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has cancelled her pre-poll campaign in the state and has left for Delhi to meet former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Speaking to ANI, National Conference Chief, Farooq Abdullah said, “We all should pray for his recovery. We should not forget that he is a leader who wanted to make the country strong. He wanted peace not only in our country but the whole world.”

DMK Working President, MK Stalin took to Twitter to express his concern about former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s health.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will be flying to Delhi to meet the ailing former prime minister. He served as a member of Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s cabinet for two years.

Addressing the media, Patnaik said, “To hear about his health is distressing. He is a great leader and to work under him was a very good experience. I will be flying to Delhi today.”

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has reached AIIMS to meet ailing former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived at AIIMS to meet former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He had earlier visited Vajpayee at Delhi’s AIIMS on Tuesday, 15 August.

Speaking to the media, West Bengal, Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee said, “I have cancelled my work to visit Atal Bihari Vajpayee. I got chance to work with him. He is a statesman like figure. We supported him when his govt was falling. His pattern of work was different and not like present politics.”

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Jitendra Singh & BJP Leader Bhupender Yadav stand outside the residence of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Speaking to CNN-News18, senior BJP Leader Murli Manohar Joshi said that Atal Bihari Vajpayee was like a father figure for the ministers of his cabinet.

“He never thought there was any difference between him and his ministers. He gave his ministers full freedom and he was always there to solve any problems,” Joshi added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left from AIIMS after visiting the former prime minister.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi arrives at AIIMS to visit the former prime minister who is critical and on life support.

BJP chief Amit Shah has left from AIIMS after visiting the former prime minister.

Social activist and Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi also arrived at AIIMS to pay a visit to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who is on life support.

The then advisor to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Ashok Tandon told ANI, “People in India and outside are praying for him. Entire country loves him. Present generation of politicians draws inspiration from him. The manner in which he maintained dignity in the Parliament is exemplary.”

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, deputy chief minister Sushil Modi and Bihar minister Nand Kishore Yadav arrive at AIIMS to visit Vajpayee.

The next medical bulletin about the health condition of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be released by AIIMS shortly.

The medical bulletin released by AIIMS at 5.30 pm announced the sad demise of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Top leaders, from the prime minister to the President, tweeted grieving for Vajpayee.

An emergency cabinet meeting has been called at 6:30 pm to decide the modalities of mourning for former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Urban Development ministry has allotted approximately 1.5 acres of land at Vijay Ghat where the former prime minister is likely to be laid to rest. The land has already been inspected by the MCD commissioner, reported News18.

National Executive meeting of the BJP which was scheduled to be held on 18-19 August has been cancelled.

The governments of Delhi and Uttar Pradesh have announced holiday on 17 August in honour of former prime minister Atal Bihar Vajpayee.

All school, colleges and offices will remain closed, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has said.

Condoling the former prime minister’s death, US Embassy in New Delhi issued a statement saying, “The United States grieves with India on the loss of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He will be remembered for his immense contribution in bolstering US-India relations. During his tenure, Prime Minister Vajpayee advocated for a robust partnership with the United States, referring to us as “natural allies.” The US Mission in India extends our deepest condolences to the family of former Prime Minister Vajpayee and the citizens of India.”

Maldives Embassy in India mourned the demise of former prime minister Vajpayee and said he left behind a “rich legacy”.

After Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, Bihar government also declared a public holiday on Friday, 17 August.

Doctors at New Delhi’s AIIMS said former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee suffered pneumonia and multi-organ failure.

The 93-year-old veteran politician, who died at 05:05 PM, was also put on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support on his last day, they said.

ECMO is a technique of providing prolonged cardiac and respiratory support to persons whose heart and lungs are unable to provide an adequate amount of gas exchange or perfusion to sustain life.

The ECMO circuit acts as an artificial heart and lung for patients during therapy.

Punjab and Jharkhand government also declared public holiday to honour former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. While the former govt has declared three-day state mourning, the latter announced seven-day mourning in memory of the former prime minister.

Convoy with the mortal remains of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has left from AIIMS for his residence.

The mortal remains of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee have been brough to his residence in New Delhi’s Krishna Menon Marg.

Vajpayee’s funeral will be held at Smriti Sthal on 17 August. Half day holiday declared for all Central government offices and CPSUs across the country.

Addressing a press conference outside the former prime minister’s residence, BJP chief Amit Shah said, “With his demise, we lost the pole star of the Indian sky. He was multifaceted. The nation lost a tall leader, BJP lost its first National President, crores of youth lost their inspiration. It is impossible to fill that void.”

Shah also announced the itinerary that will be followed for Vajpayee’s funeral on 17 August. He said, “At 9 am tomorrow his mortal remains will be taken to BJP headquarters and at 1 pm his last journey will begin. Funeral will be held at 4 pm at Smriti Sthal.”

Paying his last tribute to Vajpayee, PM Narendra Modi said, “His demise has marked the end of an era. In Atal ji's passing away, it is as if I have lost my father. It's a void which can never be filled.”

Odisha chief minister along with his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee has reached the residence of Vajpayee to pay their last tributes. Addressing a press conference, Patnaik said, “We are all deeply grieved by the sad demise of Vajpayee ji. He was one of the tallest leaders of India. He was loved by the entire nation. May his soul rest in peace.”

Extending “heartfelt condolences to his family and to Govt and people of India”, Pakistan government said, “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 Govt and people extend their heartfelt condolences to his family and to Govt and people of India.”

Home Minister Rajnath Singh and EAM Sushma Swaraj also paid their tributes to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the his residence in Delhi.

United Progress Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi expressed grief at the demise of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and accredited him for being “a patriot to the core for whom the national interest was paramount.”

Veteran BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani, during his time at the helm of the party, was inseparable from his friend Atal Bihari Vajpayee for 65 years. In an emotional statement after the passing of Vajpayee, Advani wrote, “I am at a loss of words to express my deep grief and sadness today as we all mourn the passing away of one of India's tallest statesmen, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. To me, Atalji was more than a senior colleague- in fact he was my closest friend for over 65 years.”

Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s interaction with University professors across the nation, scheduled for 18 August in Delhi, has been postponed after the demise of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, reported ANI.

From President Ram Nath Kovind to Sonia Gandhi to Pranab Mukherjee to Murli Manohar Joshi, top political leaders, cutting across party lines, gathered at former prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s residence in Delhi to pay their last tributes.

Pakistan prime minister-designate Imran Khan condoled Vajpayee’s demise and said, “Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a tall political personality of the subcontinent. His attempts for the betterment of India-Pak relationship will always be remembered. Mr Vajpayee,as a foreign minister, took responsibility of improving India-Pak ties.”

Lights of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus railway station (CMST) in Mumbai willremain off on 16 August as a mark of respect to the departed soul of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.