‘A Personal And Irreplaceable Loss For me’: PM Modi Mourns BJP Stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Vajpayee, who propelled the BJP to power for the first time in the 1990s, took his last breathe on Thursday after suffering from prolonged illness for years.

Mourning the death of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the BJP stalwart’s demise marks the end of an era and termed it as a “personal and irreplaceable” loss for him.

“I have no words, I am filled with emotions right now. Our respected Atal ji is no more. Every moment of his life he had dedicate to the nation,” said PM Modi.

He said the BJP patriarch lived for the nation and served it assiduously for decades while noting that it was Vajpayee’s exemplary leadership that set the foundations for a strong, prosperous and inclusive India in the 21st century.

“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.

“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,” Modi tweeted.

He said it was due to Vajpayee’s perseverance and struggles 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,” he said.

Modi said India grieves the demise of Vajpayee.

“My thoughts are with his family, BJP Karyakartas and millions of admirers in this hour of sadness. Om Shanti,” he added.

Vajpayee, who propelled the BJP to power for the first time in the 1990s, took his last breathe on Thursday after suffering from prolonged illness for years.

The 93-year-old leader, who had faded from public life for more than a decade following health complications and was admitted to AIIMS with urinary tract infection on June 11, breathed his last at 5.05 p.m., the hospital said in a statement.

“It is with profound grief that we inform about the sad demise of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

“Unfortunately, his condition deteriorated over the last 36 hours and he was put on life support system. Despite the best of efforts, we have lost him today,” the statement said.