Atal Bihari Vajpayee: The personal side of the poet-politician
"Six years in power and as young as 79 he still looks the only leader India has at this moment, within and without BJP, who can sing a new song for a country where half the population is in their 20s."
Read our story on the all-rounder prime minister here.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee passed away today at the age of 93. Leaders cutting across the political spectrum mourned the loss of India's former prime minister. The 93-year-old political icon was suffering from kidney tract infection, urinary tract infection and even respiratory problems.
In 2009, he suffered a stroke leading to loss of speech and subsequently causing dementia. Vajpayee was a monumental figure in both BJP and India's political landscape. He was the first non-Congress Prime Minister to complete his five-year term.
Here are the latest updates:
8:30 pm: A half-day holiday has been declared in the afternoon for all Central government offices and CPSUs across the country and Delhi government offices.
8:20 pm: The mortal remains of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee have been brought to his home at Krishna Menon Marg.
8:00 pm: Remembering the former prime minister, Sunil Bharti Mittal, founder and chairman of Bharti Enterprises called Atal Bihari Vajpayee the Father of Modern Telecommunication in India. "A great economic reformer, as a Prime Minister he was always guided by a strong conviction that liberalisation would help us realise our economic potential and ultimately open the doors to becoming a globally competitive, strong and resilient economy. He can truly be called the Father of Modern Telecommunication in India having ushered in the National Telecom Policy in 1999, which helped the industry overcome some of its toughest early challenges," Mittal said.
7:50 pm: Bihar Government has declared seven-day state mourning and a public holiday tomorrow.
7:45 pm: Delhi government declares holiday tomorrow as mark of respect towards the former prime minister. All schools and colleges in the national capital will remain shut.
All Delhi govt offices, schools and other institutions shall remain closed tomorrow, as mark of respect for our dear departed Sh Atal ji. https://t.co/ATsvEOIDxq - Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) August 16, 2018
7:30 pm: "An era comes to an end with the passing away of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The nation has lost not just a Bharat Ratna, a statesman par excellence, but also an admirable human being. His gift with words, his decency and grace in dealing with friends and foes were the mark of an exemplary life in politics. His warmth and soft-spoken charming manner ensured he was loved by all whose lives he touched. He put the nation on the fast track with initiatives like the Golden Quadrilateral project, the New Telecom Policy, the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan and the Fiscal Responsibility Act that laid down the path for future governments to follow," said Dr Prathap Reddy, Founder & Chairman, Apollo Hospitals.
7:15 pm: Reacting to the demise to former PM, N Chandrasekaran, Chairman Tata Sons said, "The nation has lost a statesman of independent India. An iconic leader on the world stage, Vajpayeeji led India with great wisdom, foresight and love for the country."
6:55 pm: Government announces 7-day state mourning throughout India from August 16 to August 22. Flags will be flown half mast and no official entertainment will be allowed.
6:40 pm: Vajpayee's last rites will be conducted near Smriti Sthal on the banks of Yamuna. The memorial is the designated spot for the cremation of presidents, vice-presidents and prime ministers.
6:30 pm: Atal Bihari Vajpayee's body will be taken to his residence at 6, Krishna Menon Marg, where it will be kept throughout the night. The body will be taken to the BJP headquarters at Ashoka Road to allow the public to pay their respects.
6:00 pm: "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. 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," PM Modi said.
5:50 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Vajpayee's death marks the end of an era. "He lived for the nation and served it assiduously for decades."
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
5:45 pm: Atal Bihari Vajpayee passes away.
2:50 pm: Prime Minister Modi leaves AIIMS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaves from AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) where former PM #AtalBihariVaajpayee is admitted. He is on life support system. pic.twitter.com/q833ORbHpX - ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018
2:10 pm: PM Modi arrives at AIIMS. His second visit in 24 hours, PM Modi has reached AIIMS to check on Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
1:50 pm: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee will board a 2.50 pm flight to Delhi to see Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
1:45 pm: Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan have reached AIIMS.
1:44 pm: Former Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh has also reached AIIMS to enquire about Atal Bihari Vajpayee's health.
1:43 pm: BJP chief Amit Shah reaches AIIMS again after his visit in the morning.
1:30 pm: I served as a member of his cabinet for two years, to hear about his health is distressing. He is a great leader and to work under him was a very good experience. I would be flying to Delhi today: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik
12:59 pm: Arvind Kejriwal visits former PM, asks AAP workers to avoid birthday parties
Delhi CM @ArvindKejriwal requests party volunteers & well wishers not to celebrate his birthday in view of deteriorating health condition of former Prime Minister Sh Atal Behari Vajpayee ji. Volunteers are requested to refrain from visiting CM residence. - Nagendar Sharma (@sharmanagendar) August 16, 2018
Myself and Manish Sisodia ji visited Atal ji in the hospital. We pray for his health and fast recovery# - Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 16, 2018
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: Farooq Abdullah, National Conference on #AtalBihariVaajpayeepic.twitter.com/ozSi1RUMMq - ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018
12:40 pm: UP CM Yogi Adityanath is also expected to arrive in Delhi to visit Vajpayee in the hospital. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar is also expected.
12:35 pm: Delhi police has urged people to avoid taking the Aurobindo Marg to avoid traffic as AIIMS is situated near Aurobindo Marg.
12:30 pm: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia have also reached AIIIMS to meet Vajpayee.
12:15 pm: Politicians are lining up at AIIMs to meet the former prime minister. Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah visited Vajpayee. "His condition is grim, just pray for him," Abdullah said.
Delhi: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy CM Manish Sisodia arrive at All India Institute of Medical Sciences where former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVaajpayee is admitted. pic.twitter.com/7clp2dTuqI - ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018
Ranchi CM Raghubar Das is believed to have cancelled a government event to meet Vajpayee. Earlier, MP CM Shivraj Singh and Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje had cancelled their political yatras to visit Vajpayee.
11:50 am: Earlier in the morning, Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj reached AIIMS to visit Vajpayee
He is our idol. With just his presence we got inspiration and encouragement, we pray for his health, no one can ever be like Atal Ji, campaigning for him was an honour for me: Madhya Pradesh CM, Shivraj Singh Chouhan #AtalBihariVaajpayeepic.twitter.com/na70A1UDnv - ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018
11:00 am: AIIMS released a press statement saying Vajpayee's condition "continues to be the same". He is critical and is on life support systems, it said.
10: 50 am: Earlier this morning, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu was also seen leaving the premises of the hospital. Various BJP leaders are visiting the hospital to take stock of the former PM's health.
#WATCH Prayers underway for #AtalBihariVaajpayee in ND Convent Public School in Lucknow pic.twitter.com/F5Y0BZsAsf - ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) August 16, 2018
Atal Bihari Vajpayee dead: Atal Bihari Vajpayee was admitted to AIIMS on June 11, after he was diagnosed with kidney tract infection, urinary tract infection and low urine output. (File photo) Atal Bihari Vajpayee dead: Atal Bihari Vajpayee was admitted to AIIMS on June 11, after he was diagnosed with kidney tract infection, urinary tract infection and low urine output. (File photo)
Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee dead: Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and BJP stalwart passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in the national capital on Thursday. He was 93. The premier institute, where a stream of leaders across party lines visited Vajpayee since morning, announced his death at 5:05 pm. The iconic BJP leader was admitted to the AIIMS in June and had been ailing for long.
He retreated from active public life over the last decade following the deterioration of his health and remained restricted to his residence. A host of leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the BJP patriarch at AIIMS.
Vajpayee was awarded India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in March 2015. During his second term as prime minister, Vajpayee ordered nuclear tests in May 1998 in a strategic masterstroke to blunt Pakistan’s nuclear ambitions. He followed this up with peace overtures to Pakistan, riding on the first direct bus from India to Pakistan in February 1999.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee dead; latest updates: In an address from Atal Bihari Vajpayee's residence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered the late prime minister as a father figure. "Whenever he met me, he would hug me like a father. For me, the void he has left can never be filled. He made BJP's ideology reach every corner of the country. It's because of him that BJP has come this far."
Speaking at Atal Bihari Vajpayee's residence in Delhi, BJP chief Amit Shah said that Atal Bihari Vajpayee's mortal remains will be kept at his residence till Friday morning. "His body will be taken to BJP headquarters at 9 am on Friday. At 1 pm, the funeral procession will begin. The last rites cermony will be held at Smriti Sthal at 4 pm," he said.
The Jharkhand government has declared a seven-day mourning in memory of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, while the Punjab government has declared a three-day mourning. All offices/boards/corporation and educational institutions in Punjab will remain closed on Friday as a mark of respect, while Jharkhand has announced state holiday tomorrow.
The central government announced a seven-day State mourning throughout India. Meanwhile, Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia announced on Twitter that all Delhi government offices, schools, and other institutions will remain closed on Friday as "a mark of respect" for Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that the mortal remains of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be taken to his residence, where people can pay tribute to him. The body will be kept at the BJP headquarters in Delhi on Friday.
In a series of tweets, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. "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," Modi said.
Ex-prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee passed away at 93. In a statement, AIIMS said, "It is with profound grief that we inform about the sad demise of former prime minister of India Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee at 5.05 pm," the hospital said in a statement.
A large crowd of mediapersons and others has gathered outside the hospital in south Delhi to get updates on Vajpayee's heath, affecting movement of traffic on the road. Policemen have been deployed to manage the crowd and traffic outside the hospital.
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, and his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi arrived at All India Institute of Medical Science. They were accompanied by Bihar minister Nand Kishore Yadav. Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh said that the entire country is praying for the health of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. "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," he said.
Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray may leave for New Delhi on Thursday evening to enquire about the health of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who is on life support at the AIIMS, sources told PTI. "Atal ji and Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray shared close relations when the Sena supremo was alive. Their personal bonding was one of the reasons why the BJP-Sena alliance stayed strong for decades. It would be natural for Uddhav ji to visit the former prime minister to check on his health," a source close to Thackeray said.
Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi was seen arriving at All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi where former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is admitted and is in a "critical condition. Meanwhile, Loktantrik Janata Dal Sharad Yadav tweeted saying that he worked with Atal Bihari Vajpayee as a minister in his government and that the former prime minister loved him a lot. "His health is not well. I pray for his early recovery and long life," he said in the tweet.
Addressing the media, Health Minister JP Nadda said that former prime minister's condition is "still critical", and that the doctors at AIIMS are taking efforts to revive his health. He also said that the medical bulletin will be out soon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi left the hospital after being briefed about Vajpayee's health. According to reports, movement around the institute has been restricted.
While security outside AIIMS hospital and Atal Bihari Vajpayee's residence in Delhi has been beefed-up, traffic has also been blocked and no new entries are being allowed inside the hospital premises.
"I served as a member of his cabinet for two years, to hear about his health is distressing. He is a great leader and to work under him was a very good experience. I would be flying to Delhi today, Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik told ANI.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has postponed its national executive meeting in view of Atal Bihari Vajpayee's deteriorating health condition, News18 reported.
According to CNN-News18, roads leading to Krishna Menon Marg and Vajpayee's home have been blocked. The BJP stalwart has been admitted to AIIMS for the last nine weeks, where his condition remains critical.
The entire Karnataka BJP leadership is heading from Bengaluru to Delhi, including Union minister Sadananda Gowda. Former Karnataka chief minister and state BJP President BS Yeddyurappa has suspended all meetings and scheduled plans in view of Vajpayee’s sensitive health, News18 reported.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has requested his party volunteers not to celebrate his birthday in view of the deteriorating health condition of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vaajpayee. He has requests the volunteers to refrain from visiting his residence, according to reports.
BJP chief ministers such as Devendra Fadnavis, Yogi Adityanath, Shivraj Singh Chouhan are rushing to AIIMS in New Delhi to visit Vajpayee as he continues to be in a critical condition and on life support. Union ministers Ram Vilas Paswan and Uma Bharti also visited AIIMS hospital in Delhi to inquire about Vajpayee's health.
"Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's condition continues to remain the same. He is critical and on life support systems, read the AIIMS statement released on Thursday morning.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi may pay a second visit to Atal Bihari Vajpayee in AIIMS. The hospital is expected to release the latest medical bulletin after Modi's visit. AIIMS director will brief the Prime Minister's Office about the health of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Doctors at AIIMS are presently monitoring Vajpayee in ICU and the next one hour is said to be crucial, News18 reported. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also paid a visit to ailing former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at AIIMS in Delhi.
In view of Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s critical health, BJP has suspended all its programmes. An event scheduled for 20 August where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was to launch a book on Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu’s one year in office has also been postponed, according to News18.
Senior BJP leader LK Advani and daughter Pratibha Advani arrived at AIIMS hospital on Thursday morning to see ailing former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The BJP leader was admitted to AIIMS with a kidney tract infection, urinary tract infection, low urine output and chest congestion. "Both his lungs are not in good condition because of pneumonia on both sides and kidneys are also weak. He is critical," a source told PTI on Thursday.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi will also visit AIIMS where former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is admitted, ANI reported.
BJP President Amit Shah arrived at AIIMS on Thursday morning where former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is admitted. Union home minister Rajnath Singh will visit ailing Vajpayee at AIIMS at around 10.30 am on Thursday, CNN News18 reported. Meanwhile, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee will fly to Delhi today to check on Atal Bihari Vajpayee at AIIMS.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee is under the supervision of Dr Randeep Guleria who is currently the director of AIIMS. Dr Guleria has been the personal physician of Vajpayee for over three decades. A team of doctors from the nephrology, gastroenterology, pulmonology and cardiology departments is keeping round-the-clock check on the ailing leader, Moneycontrol reported.
Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is critical and has been put on life support system after his health deteriorated in the last one day, AIIMS said in a statement on Wednesday night. Vajpayee, a diabetic, has only one functional kidney. He had suffered a stroke in 2009 that weakened his cognitive abilities. And subsequently, he developed dementia, according to PTI.
"Former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee has been admitted for the last nine weeks at AIIMS. Unfortunately his condition has worsened over the last 24 hours. His condition is critical and he is on life support system," Dr Aarti Vij said in a press release. According to reports, another medical bulletin on Atal Bihari Vajpayee's health is expected to be released by AIMS in an hour.
Vajpayee was admitted at the AIIMS on 11 June with a kidney infection, urinary tract infection, low urine output and chest congestion. Vajpayee, a diabetic, has only one functional kidney, reports PTI. Vajpayee also suffered a stroke in 2009.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited AIIMS Wednesday evening to inquire about Vajpayee's condition. Modi reached the hospital at around 7.15 pm and spent about 50 minutes there.
Vajpayee's care team at AIIMS is led by Dr Randeep Guleria, a renowned pulmonologist and Director of AIIMS. Guleria has worked as personal physician to Vajpayee for over three decades.
News18 is reporting that a stomach infection has gotten worse for Vajpayee.
AIIMS did not mention specifics but the storyline remains the same: "Unfortunately, his condition has worsened over the last 24 hours. His condition is critical and he is on life-support system," AIIMS said.
Born 25 December 1924, Vajpayee served three times as India's prime minister, first for a term of 13 days in 1996, and then from 1998 to 2004. He was elected to the Lok Sabha ten times and twice to the Rajya Sabha. Vajpayee was the first non Congress prime minister to serve a full five-year term. At age 93, Vajpayee is currently the oldest living former Indian Prime Minister.
#EXCLUSIVE - “I will only say that he is very critical and we are all praying for him and that’s all. I met whosoever…” @drharshvardhan to @Runjhunsharmas upon visiting former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee in #AIIMS, New Delhi. pic.twitter.com/W9GHsIBD8Y — News18 (@CNNnews18) August 15, 2018
In 1996, Vajpayee was sworn in as India's 10th prime minister but the BJP couldn't cobble together a majority. Vajpayee resigned after 13 days.
After the fall of the two United Front governments between 1996 and 1998, the 1998 general elections saw a bloc of political parties joining the BJP to form the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), and Vajpayee was sworn in as PM for the second time. This NDA government lasted 13 months until mid-1999 when the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) under Jayalalithaa withdrew its support.
In the 1999 general elections, the BJP-led NDA won 303 seats out of the 543 seats in the Lok Sabha. On 13 October 1999, Vajpayee took oath as PM for the third time.
