Atal Bihari Vajpayee passes away: Last rites on Friday at Delhi's Smriti Sthal, 7-day state mourning announced

NEW DELHI: Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former prime minister and one of India's most charismatic leaders who led the nation through several crises, died here at AIIMS on Thursday. He was 93. The veteran BJP leader breathed his last at 5:05 pm. The Centre has announced a seven-day state mourning across the country on Vajpayee's demise. His last rites will be performed at 4 pm on Friday at Delhi's Smriti Sthal. Read More: Atal Bihari Vajpayee Funeral Last Ride Live Updates

Atal Bihari Vajpayee Death: All That Happened on Wednesday

• 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: Sonia Gandhi
• Deeply shocked at the sad demise of former PM of India #AtalBihariVajpayee, 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: Bangladesh PM
• We have learnt with sadness the passing away of Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister of India, who was undergoing treatment in a hospital in New Delhi. Mr. Vajpayee was a renowned statesman who contributed to bringing a change in India-Pakistan relations and remained a key supporter of SAARC and regional cooperation for development. The Government and people of Pakistan extend their heartfelt condolences to his family and to the Government and people of India: Pakistan Government

• Tamil Nadu govt declares public holiday tomorrow. Schools, colleges and government offices will remain closed tomorrow as a mark of respect for former PM

Prime Minister @narendramodi pays tribute to former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee https://t.co/06zjy9bpa9 pic.twitter.com/qYrbHHj50m

— ABP News (@abpnewstv) August 16, 2018

• Odisha government has declared government holiday tomorrow in the state; all government offices, schools & colleges to remain shut across the state.

Mortal remains of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee kept at his residence to allow people to pay their homage.https://t.co/06zjy9bpa9 pic.twitter.com/bdmPkjKHjl

— ABP News (@abpnewstv) August 16, 2018

• The body of the BJP veteran will be kept at his official residence 6 A Krishna Menon Marg tonight to allow people to pay their homage. It would be taken to the BJP headquarters at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg tomorrow morning: PTI
• The Smriti Sthal is a common memorial site that was proposed following concerns over shrinking land resources in the capital. The last rites would be performed on an elevated platform which is surrounded by greenery. Smriti Sthal is located between Jawaharlal Nehru's memorial 'Shanti Van' and Lal Bahadur Shastri's 'Vijay Ghat'.
• State funeral for AB Vajpayee to be held in Delhi's Smriti Sthal; half day holiday on the day of funeral in all central govt offices: PTI
• Offices, schools, colleges in UP closed tomorrow as mark of respect towards Vajpayee
• All Punjab Offices/Boards/Corporation and Educational Institutions of the state will remain closed tomorrow as a mark of respect
• A Public holiday on Friday has been declared in Uttarakhand and Jharkhand to mourn the demise of former PM
• Seven-day state mourning and public holiday on Friday has been declared by Bihar Government
• Delhi government has declared a public holiday on Friday to mourn the demise of Vajpayee. Government offices, school, colleges to remain closed.
• As a mark of respect to the departed dignitary, it has been decided that seven days of state mourning will be observed throughout India from August 16-22, both days inclusive. During this period, the national flag will be flown at half mast throughout India where it is regularly flown and there will be no official entertainment during the period of the state mourning: Home Ministry
• Central Government announces seven-day state mourning throughout India, during this period the national flag will be flown at half-mast throughout India where it's regularly flown. A state funeral will also be accorded

• Atal Bihari Vajpayee was an eminent statesman known for his wisdom moderation intact. His way of communication was unique & made him extremely popular. This kind of a person comes once in a blue moon. He will be remembered for a long time: Former Vice President Mohd Hamid Ansari
• "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, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. To me, Atalji was more than a senior colleague- in fact, he was my closest friend for over 65 years. I cherish the memories of my long association with him, right from our days as Pracharaks of the RSS, to the inception of Bharatiya Jana Singh, the struggle of the dark months during the Emergency leading to the formation of Janata Party and later the emergence of the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1980," says LK Advani
• As long as he was at the helm, he resolutely anchored the BJP close to the middle and did not allow the party to swing to the extreme right of the political spectrum. Vajpayee ji was a man of great wisdom, tolerance and compassion. He led his party to its first victory in national elections and established the credentials of the BJP to run the central government: P Chidambaram

• 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: PM Modi
• 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: PM Modi
• 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

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

• Today India lost a great son. Former PM, Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji, was loved and respected by millions. My condolences to his family & all his admirers. We will miss him: Rahul Gandhi
• India is at a great loss today. Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji’s contributions to our nation have been innumerable. Thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones: Sachin Tendulkar
• Very very saddened that the great statesman and former PM Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji is no more with us. His passing away is a very big loss to our nation. I will always cherish the many fond memories. Condolences to his family and his many admirers: Mamata Banerjee

• I have learnt with profound sorrow about the sad demise of Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji.  An excellent orator, an impressive poet, an exceptional Public Servant, an outstanding Parliamentarian and a great Prime Minister, Shri Vajpayee ji stood among the tallest leaders of modern India,  who spent his whole life serving our great country. His services to our nation will be remembered for a long time to come: Manmohan Singh
• The body of Vajpayee is being taken to his residence in the national capital where people can pay their last respects.