"Mishraji was a hardworking and inspirational leader, being a role model for lakhs of workers," he told reporters after paying floral tributes to the 89-year-old leader.
It has been due to sincere endeavour and commitment of leaders like Mishraji who assiduously worked to strengthen the party since joining the Jansangh in 1969 that the BJP was ruling in nine states on its own or with allies, Advani said.
"Mishra's death has created a vacuum in the party," he said.
The Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley, who along with the BJP MP Ananth Kumar flew in here from New Delhi to pay tribute to Mishra, described the latter as an inspirational leader and role model. Kumar said that the departed leader was a 'Bhishma Pitamah' of the party.
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi also flew in here to pay tribute to the late BJP leader who was former Gujarat Governor.
Modi went to Mishra's residence straight from the Patna airport where he had arrived on a special plane late this afternoon.
He stayed at the residence of Mishra, who died yesterday, for about 15 minutes before returning to the airport. (More)