Poet, Journalist, Intellectual and Former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee died at AIIMS on Thursday at 5:05 in the evening. He was 93.
He was admitted to the AIIMS hospital in New Delhi on July 11 and was there for the past few weeks. He was being treated for kidney tract infection, urinary tract infection, low urine output and chest congestion.
“It is with profound grief that we inform about the sad demise of Former Prime Minister of India, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee at 05:05 pm on August 16, 2018,” a statement released by the AIIMS read.
The AIIMS said Vajpayee’s condition deteriorated over the last 36 hours and he was put on life support systems. “Despite the best of efforts, we have lost him today,” the statement released by Dr. Aarti Vij, Chairperson, Media & Protocol Division.
Vajpayee had suffered a stroke in 2009 that weakened his cognitive abilities. Subsequently, he developed dementia.
Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, His aprty president Amit Shah, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and many others have visited the hospital to enquire about his health today.
Vajpayee was the the first non-Congress PM who had completed his five year term.
He was born on December 25, 1924 in Gwalior and was elected 10 times to the Lok Sabha from four different States. He was first elected as the MP from Balrampur in Uttar Pradesh in 1957. He was also twice a Member of the Rajya Sabha.
He was one of the founders of Jan Sangh with Deendayal Upadhyaya which was formed in 1951. After the death of Deen Dayal who was its first president, he became the president in 1968 and continued till it was dissolved in 1977.
Atal Behari Vajpayee had asked then Chief Minister Narendra Modi to abide by the ‘Raj Dharma’ after carnage of Gujarat in 2002.
Prime Minister mourned over the death of Vajpayee. “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.” He tweeted.
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
President of India, Ram Kovind also expressed his grief over his death. “Extremely sad to hear of the passing of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, our former Prime Minister and a true Indian statesman. His leadership, foresight, maturity and eloquence put him in a league of his own. Atalji, the Gentle Giant, will be missed by one and all #PresidentKovind.” His tweet read.
Extremely sad to hear of the passing of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, our former Prime Minister and a true Indian statesman. His leadership, foresight, maturity and eloquence put him in a league of his own. Atalji, the Gentle Giant, will be missed by one and all #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 16, 2018
Congress President Rahul Gandhi also tweeted and expressed his grief. “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.” He tweeted.
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
