#AtalBihariVajpayee: A leader for ages, ahead of times passes away Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and BJP stalwart passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in the national capital on Thursday. He was 93. The premier institute, where a stream of leaders across party lines visited Vajpayee since morning, announced his death at 5:05 pm. After the last rest at his 6 Krishna Menon Marg residence—Vajpayee’s home for more than a decade now—the man credited for the blooming of lotus in India will be taken to the BJP’s headquarters to allow the people to pay their respects. The last rites will be conducted at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal on the banks of Yamuna—the designated spot for the cremation of presidents, vice-presidents and prime ministers. BJP president Amit Shah said last rites will be take place at 4 pm. The government has announced 7-day state mourning following the demise of Vajpayee. The national flag will be flown at half mast for seven days across India, it said, adding that a state funeral to be accorded to Vajpayee. It also declared a half day holiday in all central government offices, central public sector undertakings across the country and the Delhi government offices of NCT of Delhi. -PTC News
