NEW DELHI: Former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has died at the age of 93 following a prolonged illness, according to a hospital statement.
Vajpayee had been hospitalised since June with a kidney infection and chest congestion.On Thursday morning that Vajpayee was in a critical condition after top Indian politicians visited him in New Dehli’s All India Institute of Medical Science.
Vajpayee was born on December 25, 1924 in Gwalior.Vajpayee served as India’s prime minister three times: for 13 days in 1996, 11 months in 1998 to 1999 and then from 1999 to 2004.He retired from politics in 2005, four years before suffering a stroke that made him retreat from public view.
He also served decades in parliament, and was a foreign minister from 1977 to 1980. Leaders cutting across political parties and industrial organisations paid rich tribute to the departed soul.
Vajpayee was a key figure in the development of India’s nuclear programme and gave the go-ahead for underground nuclear tests in 1998, believing nuclear weapons would be a deterrent against China and Pakistan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited the hospital twice in 24 hours to enquire about his health condition.Vajpayee’s mortal remains have been taken to his residence and hundreds of well wishers have gathered there.
The mortal remains will be taken to the BJP headquarters at 9am on Friday and the samadhi will be done at Vijay Ghat, near Rajghat, at 4pm.The government also announced seven-day state mourning as a mark of respect for the former prime minister.
In a circular, the home ministry also said national flag would be flown at half mast from today for seven days across India and a state funeral would be accorded to Vajpayee.
