Impossible To Fill The Void: Amit Shah After Vajpayee's Death

Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee died aged 93 at AIIMS in Delhi on Thursday. In a medical bulletin, the hospital said the Bharat Ratna breathed his last at 5.05pm on Thursday.  Union Cabinet meeting will be held shortly. 

The 93-year-old BJP leader was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on June 11 with a kidney tract infection, urinary tract infection, low urine output and chest congestion.

Vajpayee, a diabetic, has only one functional kidney. He had suffered a stroke in 2009 that weakened his cognitive abilities. Subsequently, he developed dementia.

UPDATES HERE:

08:35 PM

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee arrives at former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's residence, where his mortal remains are kept.

08:30 PM

"With his demise, we lost the pole star of the Indian sky. He was multifaceted. The nation lost a tall leader, BJP lost its first National President, crores of youth lost their inspiration. It is impossible to fill that void."

"At 9 am tomorrow his mortal remains will be taken to BJP headquarters and at 1 pm his last journey will begin. Funeral will be held at 4 pm at Smriti Sthal."BJP President Amit Shah

08:15 PM

State funeral for A B Vajpayee to be held in Delhi's Smriti Sthal, half day holiday on the day of funeral in all central govt offices.

08:00 PM

07:40 PM

Seven day state mourning and public holiday tomorrow has been declared by Bihar Government

07:30 PM

United States grieves with India on the loss of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He will be remembered for his immense contribution in bolstering U.S.-India relations: US Embassy in India

07:15 PM

I am at a loss of words to express my deep grief and sadness today as we all mourn the passing away of one of India’s tallest statesmen, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. To me, Atalji was more than a senior colleague- in fact he was my closest friend for over 65 years: LK Advani

07:00 PM

Central Government announces seven day state mourning throughout India, during this period the national flag will be flown at half mast throughout India where its regularly flown. State funeral will also be accorded.

06:46 PM

National Executive meeting of the BJP which was scheduled to be held on August 18-19 has been cancelled.

06: 30 PM

I have learnt with profound sorrow about the sad demise of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vaajpayee ji. An excellent orator, an impressive poet, an exceptional public servant, an outstanding Parliamentarian and a great Prime Minister: Dr.Manmohan Singh

06:00 PM

This is a very sad moment for us that Atal ji is no more. Shortly his mortal remains will be taken to his residence where people can pay tribute to him: Home Minister Rajnath Singh

06:00 PM 

05:50 PM 

condolences on Vajpayee's death. 

05:44 PM 

President Ramnath Kovind has expressed grief over Vajpayee's death. 

05:42 PM

Prime minister Modi calls Vajpayee's demise "end of an era". 

05:41 PM 

In a statement, AIIMS said that former prime minister Atal Bihar Vajpayee passed away at 5.05 pm on Thursday.

The press release from AIIMS

05:34 PM 

Atal Vihari Vajpayee dies at 93.

05: 15 PM

Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan arrives at AIIMS 

04:45 PM

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Deputy CM Sushil Modi and Bihar Minister Nand Kishore Yadav arrive at AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) where former PM Atal Bihari Vaajpayee is admitted.

04.15 PM

People in India & outside are praying for him. Entire country loves him. Present generation of politicians draws inspiration from him. The manner in which he maintained dignity in the Parliament is exemplary: Ashok Tandon, the then advisor to former PM Atal Bihari Vaajpayee

04:00 PM

Social activist Kailash Satyarthi arrives at AIIMS

03: 45 PM 

Rahul Gandhi arrives at AIIMS

Congress President Rahul Gandhi arrives at AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) where former PM Atal Bihari Vaajpayee is admitted. He is on life support system.

 03:30 PM

BJP postpones its national executive

The BJP postponed its two-day national executive, slated for August 18-19, in the wake of critical health condition of its veteran leader and former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

3:17 PM 

Manhohar Lal Khattar to leave for Delhi at 3 pm

Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar will leave from Chandigarh at 3 pm to visit ailing former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at AIIMS hospital in Delhi. (Media reports)

3:11 PM 

Vajpayee ji is in the hospital and we pray for him: Congress President Rahul Gandhi at 'Sanjhi Virasat Bachao Sammelan' in Delhi.

2:57 PM 

Narendra Modi leaves AIIMS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left the AIIMS hopsital in Delhi after getting briefed by the team of doctors treating former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

2:50 PM 

Rajnath Singh says Vajpayee's condition remains critical

Briefing the media outside AIIMS, Union home minister Rajnath Singh said that former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's condition remains critical. 

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

02.15 P.M: I have cancelled my work to visit Atal Bihari Vajpayee today. I got chance to work with him. He is a statesman like figure. We supported him when his govt was falling. His pattern of work was different & not like present politics: Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal CM

Delhi: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Jitendra Singh & BJP Leader Bhuepnder Yadav outside the residence of former PM #AtalBihariVaajpayee. He is on life support system at AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences). pic.twitter.com/SBWgy7K1OY

02.00 P.M: PM Narendra Modi arrives at AIIMS.  Modi had visited the hospital Wednesday evening also to enquire about the condition of Vajpayee.

01.25 P.M: 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

12.30 P.M: 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

12.15 P.M: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy CM Manish Sisodia arrive at All India Institute of Medical Sciences where former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vaajpayee is admitted.

READ HERE- Kejriwal Visits Vajpayee At AIIMS, Asks AAP Workers To Avoid Birthday Celebrations

12.00 P.M

11.45 A.M: 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

11.40 A.M: Saddened to hear about the critical health condition of Atal Bihari Vaajpayee ji. Praying for his speedy recovery: N Chandrababu Naidu, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister

 11.10 A.M: Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's condition continues to remain the same. He is critical and on life support systems: AIIMS statement

 11.00 A.M: EAM Sushma Swaraj and Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh arrive at All India Institute of Medical Sciences where former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is admitted. Vajpayee is on life support system.

10.15 A.M: Senior BJP leader LK Advani and daughter Pratibha Advani arrive at All India Institute of Medical Sciences where former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is admitted.

10.00 A.M: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh arrives at All India Institute of Medical Sciences where former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is admitted.

10.00 A.M: I have been praying to god that just once I can see him give a speech again. Our family can never ever erase that image of his from our minds. I hope he gets well soon: Kanti Mishra, Niece of Atal Bihari Vaajpayee

09.30 A.M: 

08.00 A.M: BJP President Amit Shah arrives at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) where former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is admitted. Vajpayee’s condition is critical & he is on life support system.

06.00 AM: 

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu visited AIIMS today to enquire about the condition of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who has been undergoing treatment at the premier institute.

 (Inputs from agencies)