President Kovind, others condole Atal Bihari Vajpayee's death

New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday expressed his condolences on the death of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

"Extremely sad to hear of the passing away of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, our former Prime Minister and a true Indian statesman. His leadership, foresight, maturity and eloquence put him in a league of his own. Atalji, the Gentle Giant, will be missed by one and all," he tweeted.

Vajpayee died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi. He was 93.

India lost a great son: Rahul Gandhi

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday condoled the death of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee calling him a "great son of India".

"Today, India lost a great son. Former PM, Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji, was loved and respected by millions. My condolences to his family and all his admirers. We will miss him," Gandhi said in a tweet.

Vajpayee's death a great loss for India: Arvind Kejriwal

"Am deeply saddened. A great loss for India," he said in a tweet.

Kejriwal, who turned 50 on Thursday, had visited AIIMS along with his deputy Manish Sisodia to enquire about the health of Vajpayee, who was critical.

Kejriwal had requested Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) volunteers and his well-wishers not to celebrate his birthday in view of Vajpayee's condition.

Vajpayee's death very big loss: Mamata Banerjee

"Very very saddened that the great statesman and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji is no more with us.

"His passing away is a very big loss to our nation. I will always cherish many fond memories with him. Condolences to his family and his many admirers," Mamata tweeted.

Pranab Mukherjee condoles death of Vajpayee

"Deeply saddened at the passing away of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. A reasoned critique in opposition and a seeker of consensus as PM, Atal Ji was a democrat to the core. In his passing away, India has lost a great son and an era has come to an end. My deepest condolences," he wrote.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath

Atal ji worked in the national interest rather than personal interest, he brought a political stability to our country. His ashes will be spread in every river in UP to respect his grand stature.

BCCI, cricket team join nation in condoling Vajpayee's death

"The Indian cricket team and BCCI condoles the sad demise of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Atalji dedicated his life in service of the nation," the BCCI said in a statement.

Former India captain and coach Anil Kumble wrote, "A sad day for the country, as we lose one of our greatest leaders. #AtalBihariVajpayee contributed so much for the betterment of the country. May his soul rest in peace."

"It's been a sad week, the demise of one of India's finest leaders "Mr. Vajpayee" is heartbreaking," India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin wrote.

India opener Shikhar Dhawan wrote, "My deepest condolences on the passing of our former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji. One of the few politicians I always respected for his honesty and devotion to the national cause. May his soul rest in peace."

India batsman Cheteshwar Pujara in his message wrote, "Deeply saddened to hear about the loss of Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji. His values and ideologies will be remembered forever."

Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi condoles Vajpayee's demise

"As Prime Minister, he made bold yet subtle statement regarding India's nuclear capability by going for the Pokhran test, thereby helping India gain entry to the Nuclear Club. He, however, made it unambiguously clear that the country's nuclear repository and policy is for self-defence, that the country is a believer in non-violence and in no way will be in a nuclear race with any country, and India will not use the nuclear power first but in self-defence.

His sagacity and leadership at both national and international levels has been a source of inspiration and guidance.

The way he conveyed so much in so few words left the world dumbfounded. He spoke about 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' at that level and made the country's intentions clear at the world forum. This speech made many people realise the importance of the native tongue and also placed an Indian Language on the world political stage.

Vajpayee's death irreparable loss to nation: Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar

"A powerful orator, parliamentarian of unmatched debating skills, an able administrator, and a statesman of rare foresight, his contribution to the country and its economy as the Prime Minister of India will remain etched in golden letters.

His undiluted commitment and unending zeal to take the country to greater heights made him roll out economic reforms and earned him the Pokhran repute which put the country on the road to nuclear energy."

Vajpayee tallest Indian I worked with: Punjab ex-CM Prakash Singh Badal

"India will forever remember Vajpayee ji as a symbol of peace, communal harmony and India's rich diversity.

He (Vajpayee) represented the spirit of India like very few others. India today has lost a sagacious statesman and perhaps her most glorious yet humblest son. It will take a long long while to fill the void created by this loss.

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu expresses grief over Vajpayee's death

"Overwhelmed with a surge of memories of venerable Atalji. Only these memories will fill the void now left behind by him.

My association and bonding with Vajpayee has been deeply enriching and transformative. I joined politics because of Shri Vajpayee's speeches that I heard while I was in ABVP. I used to be such a fan of his from my college days.

He was a real 'Ajaatshatru' who got along with people from all sections. He was an able leader and provided a stable government. He practised politics of principles and infused values into politics.

During my early days in politics, I remember how we all fondly used to call him, 'Tharuna Hriday Samrat', (a leader with a young heart). He was efficient and affable, bold and convivial."

US Embassy in India

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 US-India relations.

During his tenure, Prime Minister Vajpayee advocated for robust partnership with the United States, referring to us as 'natural allies'. The US Mission in India extends our deepest condolences to the family of former Prime Minister Vajpayee and the citizens of India.

Himachal people will miss Vajpayee: Jai Ram Thakur

"Vajpayee was a statesman and a visionary leader whose demise is a great loss to the nation.

Vajpayee always considered Himachal Pradesh his second home and owned a house at Prini in Kullu district.

The state's people will always miss the benevolence and special attachment Vajpayee had with Himachal.

Construction of the Rohtang tunnel to connect landlocked Lahaul Valley to the outside world was conceived in 1998 by Vajpayee who announced the project on June 3, 2000.

This project was now nearing completion and will be Vajpayee's biggest gift to the state.

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan

Atal ji was like a star in the sky of politics, which shone brighter than everyone else. He had the unique ability to bring everyone together. Even if you ask the opposition they hold a sense of respect for him.

Former Vice President Hamid Ansari

Atal Bihari Vajpayee was an eminent statesman known for his wisdom moderation intact. His way of communication was unique and made him extremely popular. This kind of a person comes once in a blue moon. He will be remembered for a long time

Vajpayee a binding force of NDA: Uddhav Thackeray

"The former Prime Minister always went hand-in-hand with all big or small coalition parties to carry the NDA forward, and it was his ability to take along everybody together that strengthened the National Democratic Alliance.

Pride, arrogance or rigidity of power was miles away from him; he was upright and honest, gentle and mild-mannered, and his perpetually smiling face an inspiration for all. I met him several times and he always blessed me like a father. Nobody can take his place.

Vajpayee a beacon to inspire young politicians: Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh

"Atal ji was a multifaceted personality and a fine human being with the qualities of the head and heart.

He was a true statesman, a great scholar, an eminent poet besides a heartthrob of millions of countrymen.

As Prime Minister Atal ji had extremely cordial and warm relations with all the Chief Ministers irrespective of their party affiliations and treated them equally without any prejudice of regionalism.

Nitish Kumar mourns Vajpayee's death

"The country has lost the tallest political leader, a charismatic personality, poet, orator, writer and thinker.

Vajpayee was respected by leaders of all political parties despite ideological differences. He always stood to safeguard democratic values.

Nitish Kumar was Railway Minister in Vajpayee's cabinet during the first National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre.

Jharkhand Governor Draupadi Murmu, CM Raghubar Das condole Vajpayee's death

"Vajpayee was not leader of the country but popular leader of the world. We will feel void in Indian democratic system after demise of Vajpayee ji," the Governor said.

"I have lost fatherly Guru like Vajpayee ji. His contribution will be remembered in Indian democracy. Yugpurush, Bharat Ratna Vajpayee ji ko shat shat naman," the CM tweeted.

Former Jammu and Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti

The demise of Atal Bihari Vajpayee is not only a loss for the country, it is big loss for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He was the first Prime Minister to understand the agony of our people.

Indian film fraternity pays tribute to 'selfless', 'warm' Vajpayee

Lata Mangeshkar: Rishitulya purva pradhan mantri Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji ke swargwas ki vaarta sunke mujhe aise laga jaise mere sar par pahaad toota hai, kyunki main unko pita samaan maanti thi aur unhone mujhe apni beti banaaya tha. Mujhe wo itne priya the ki main unko dadda kehke bulaati thi. Aaj mujhe waisa dukh hua hai jaise mere pitaji ke swargwas ke samay hua tha. Ishwar unki aatma ko shanti de.

(The news of respected former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's demise has been shocking. I used to regard him like my father, and he had made me his daughter. He was so dear to me that I used to call him 'Dadda'. I feel the same pain I felt when my father had passed away. May his soul rest in peace.)

Rajinikanth: I'm saddened to hear the demise of a great statesman Shri Vajpayeeji. May his soul rest in peace.

Sanjay Dutt: Indeed a big loss for our country as we pay our last tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji. He was a close family friend and his legacy will forever be remembered. Thank you for your selfless service, sir! My heartfelt condolence to everyone.

SS Rajamouli: One of the few statesmen who brought dignity and esteem to politics. His dream and steadfast application of road connectivity changed and continues to change millions of lives in our country. Bowing with respect to our beloved leader Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji.

Prosenjit Chatterjee: A gentleman with immense knowledge whom we have lost. India has lost a great person. My deepest condolences for the entire family. Rest in peace sir.

Resul Pookutty: At this hour of calamity and insecurity sad to hear of the passing of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, our former Prime Minister and a true statesman. One of the sane voices in the Indian politics. Dear Sir, you will be missed and your tribe, even more in this changing times.

Vishal Dadlani: A Titan has departed. There was more impact and gravitas in the pauses between his words, than there are in the petty political speeches we hear these days. Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Farhan Akhtar: RIP Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji. You will be remembered as one of India's greatest leaders, as an exemplary statesman, as a tour de force for peace and unity and most of all as a genuine, warm, approachable human being.

Dhanush: Deeply saddened to hear about the passing away of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji. Heartfelt condolences to the family and dear ones of the great man.

Ashoke Pandit: Atalji was a man of words but today no word would describe the loss India suffers in his death. He wasn't a politician... He was a thought, a vision. Mortal humans perish but a thought always remains alive and grows in the minds and hearts of millions.

Sreenu Vaitla: Saddened by the loss of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji, one of my favourite leaders and our former prime minister. Some leaders leave such an immense influence that you just wish that they are never gone. May your soul rest in peace sir.

Rana Daggubati: Today we lost a great statesman, poet and orator. A man who dreamed of a glorious nation and strived to take us on the path to prosperity. Rest in peace.

Adnan Sami: Extremely saddened to learn of the passing away of former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji. Apart from being one of the greatest statesman India has seen, he was a great man of 'peace'. He spread love everywhere he went... May he rest in peace.

Dia Mirza: "Let no one challenge India's secularism." - Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Growing up in India in the 1980s and 1990s, one can never forget what a deep impact Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji made on us... He was a great statesman and leader.

Arjun Kapoor: Heartfelt condolences to Vajpayeeji's family and dear ones. May his soul rest in peace.

Huma Qureshi: Respect always sir... RIP.

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik

We are all deeply grieved by the sad demise of Vajpayee ji. He was one of the tallest leaders of India. He was loved by the entire nation. May his soul rest in peace.

Vajpayee will be remembered by northeastern people: Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma

"Vajpayee was a veteran and able administrator who served the nation in different spheres. He was a Member of Parliament for over four decades, being elected ten times to the Lok Sabha and twice to the Rajya Sabha until 2009 when he retired from active politics.

Vajpayee will be remembered by the people of Meghalaya in particular and northeastern states as a whole for his keen interest to develop the North Eastern states was very clear when he day long brainstorming on socio- economic development of the northeastern states with his key ministers then L.K. Advani, Yashwant Sinha, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission K.C. Pant and Governors and Chief Ministers of the northeastern states to Shillong on January 21, 2000.

In his passing away, the nation has lost an eminent public figure and multi-faceted personality who made immense contribution for the greater good of our country."

Pakistan Government

We have learnt with sadness the passing away of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister of India, who was undergoing treatment in a hospital in New Delhi. He was a renowned statesman who contributed to bringing a change in Indo-Pak relations and remained key supporter of SAARC and regional cooperation for development. Pakistan government and people extend their heartfelt condolences to his family and to government and people of India, said Pakistan government.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina has also condoled the death of Atal ji and has described him as a friend of Bangladesh. "Deeply shocked at sad demise of former PM of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, one of the most famous sons of India. He'll be remembered for contributing towards good governance & highlighting issues affecting common people of India as well as regional peace and prosperity. He was our friend and highly respected in Bangladesh. As a token of recognition for his invaluable contribution to our Liberation War in 1971, Bangladesh government conferred on him Bangladesh Liberation War Honour. Today is a day of great sadness for all of us in Bangladesh. On behalf of government and people of Bangladesh and on my own behalf, I express our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to government and the mourning people of India, and to the members of the bereaved family. We pray for the eternal peace of his soul.

British High Commissioner to India Dominic Asquith

We are saddened by the passing of former PM of India #AtalBihariVajpayee. We will remember him as one of India’s greatest leaders. Shri Vajpayee was much respected in the UK as a statesman par excellence

Former Congress President Sonia Gandhi

"I'm deeply saddened by the passing away of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He was a towering figure in our national life. Throughout his life, he stood for democratic values and demonstrated this commitment in all his acts whether as a parliamentarian, a cabinet minister or PM.

His warm personality and his gift of friendship won him admirers and friends across the political spectrum and from every walk of life. His death leaves behind a huge void. I join millions of our fellow Indians in mourning his loss and pray for the departed soul."

Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu

Today nation lost a great statesman. He was a believer of national development. During Kargil also we have seen his statesmanship&great fighting spirit. He brought so many reforms. I had a very good rapport with him. We never had any differences.

Pakistan PM Designate Imran Khan

Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a tall political personality of the subcontinent. His attempts for the betterment of India-Pak relationship will always be remembered. Vajpayee, as a foreign minister, took responsibility of improving India-Pak ties.