Atal Bihari Vajpayee dead: India mourns the loss of a great Statesman

One of India's greatest sons - Atal Bihari Vajpayee - breathed his last at 5.05pm at AIIMS in the capital on Thursday. He was admitted to the hospital in June this year and was undergoing treatment. His conditioned deteriorated in the last three days. He was 93. 

The former Prime Minister, who occupied the PMO thrice, was a true statesman. People across the political spectrum respected the BJP leader.

His mortal remains were taken to his residence in New Delhi. His last rites will be performed tomorrow.

In the pic: Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, at his Krishna Menon Marg residence, in New Delhi.  (Pic courtesy: PTI)

People pay tribute to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee during Ganga Aarti, at Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi (Pic courtesy: PTI)

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar pays tribute to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, at his Krishna Menon Marg residence, in New Delhi.  (Pic courtesy: PTI)

BJP President Amit Shah pays tribute to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, at his Krishna Menon Marg residence, in New Delhi.  (Pic courtesy: PTI)

Goa BJP president Vinay Tendulkar, South Goa MP Narendra Savoikar, former Goa CM Laxmikant Parsekar along with BJP workers pay homage to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Panaji. (Pic courtesy: IANS)

Artist Jagjot Singh Ruba gives final touches to a painting of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in an attempt to pay homage to him, in Amritsar. (Pic courtesy: IANS)

People pay homage to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Agartala. (Pic courtesy: IANS)

Students participate in a candlelight vigil to pay tribute to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Chennai. (Pic courtesy: PTI)