‘End of an Era’: Politicians Grieve Death of Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Video Producer: Srishti Tyagi

Video Editor: Mohd Ibrahim

"His passing away marks the end of an era,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee after his demise at AIIMS in New Delhi on Thursday, 16 August. He was 93.

“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,” Modi wrote on Twitter minutes after the death of the BJP veteran.

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

Modi also hailed the former prime minister for his ‘exemplary leadership that set the foundations for a strong, prosperous and inclusive India in the 21st century.’

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

On a personal level, PM said that Vajpayee’s loss was an ‘irreplaceable loss’. “I have countless fond memories with him. He was an inspiration to Karyakartas like me.”

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

Congress President Rahul Gandhi also took to Twitter and expressed condolences to Vajpayee’s family and his admirers. “We will miss him,” he wrote further.

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

I have learnt with profound sorrow about the sad demise of Bharat Ratna #AtalBihariVaajpayee ji. An excellent orator, an impressive poet, an exceptional public servant, an outstanding Parliamentarian and a great Prime Minister: Dr.Manmohan Singh (file pic) pic.twitter.com/2E23QHZpbf

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018

ठन गई
मौत से ठन गई
जूझने का मेरा इरादा न था
मोड़ पर मिलेंगे इसका वादा न था
रास्ता रोक वह खड़ी हो गई
यों लगा ज़िन्दगी से बड़ी हो गई
मौत की उमर क्या है?दो पल भी नहीं
ज़िन्दगी सिलसिला,आज कल की नहीं
मैं जी भर जिया, मैं मन से मरूँ
लौटकर आऊँगा,कूच से क्यों डरूँ? pic.twitter.com/g9mqVzza17

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 16, 2018

Minutes after the three-time prime minister passed away, politicians from across the political spectrum paid their tribute to him and remembered his contribution to the nation.

लोकप्रिय वक्ता, लेखक और भारत रत्न जिनकी पूरी जीवनी स्वयं में एक संस्थान की तरह है ऐसे जननायक देश के पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री श्री अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी जी के निधन पर विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि!!!

मैं जी भर जिया, मैं मन से मरूँ, लौटकर आऊँगा, कूच से क्यों डरूँ?#AtalBihariVaajpayee

— Sachin Pilot (@SachinPilot) August 16, 2018

Vajpayee Sahib is no more & I feel a personal sense of loss at his passing. Thank you sir for the opportunities, for the trust you reposed in me, for the opportunities to travel with you & to learn from you. You will be greatly missed #AtalBihariVajpayee

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) August 16, 2018

भारत के पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री एवं भारत रत्न अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी जी का निधन दुःखद। देश ने सबसे बड़े राजनीतिक शख्सियत, प्रखर वक्ता, लेखक, चिंतक, अभिभावक एवं करिश्माई व्यक्तित्व को खो दिया। उन्हें विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि। #AtalBihariVajpayee https://t.co/KhJvuTVaar

— Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) August 16, 2018

पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री श्री अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी जी का निधन देश के लिए अपूरणीय क्षति है। यह मेरे लिए व्यक्तिग दुख की घड़ी है, जिसे शब्दों में बयां कर पाना संभव नहीं है। अटल जी मेरे लिए पिता तुल्य थे, मार्गदर्शक थे। मुझे उनका सान्निध्य मिला, ये मेरा सौभाग्य है।#AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/6zgyU9voH1

— Vasundhara Raje (@VasundharaBJP) August 16, 2018

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