Chief ministers of Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh and several other leaders today described former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as a visionary and statesman whose death was an irreparable loss to the nation.
Vajpayee died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences hospital in New Delhi, where he was admitted since June 11. He was 93.
His death drowned the country in grief and sorrow and emotions poured out as people remembered the BJP patriarch for the variety of skills he possessed, including his powerful poetries and the unwriterliness about them that made him exhilarating to read.
The leaders recalled their association with the former prime minister and his leadership in taking India forward.
"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," Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said.
Khattar said Vajpayee's commitment to take India to greater heights made him rollout economic reforms and "earned him the Pokhran repute", which put the country on the road to become a nuclear power.
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In May 1998, India conducted nuclear tests in Pokhran in Rajasthan. Speaking in Parliament on the tests, Vajpayee had said the Pokhran-2 nuclear tests were conducted "neither for self-glorification, nor for any display of machismo". He had said the decision to go for the tests was based on the country's requirement of "minimum deterrence, which should also be credible."
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh called Vajpayee a true statesman and great scholar.
He said Vajpayee would be remembered by one and all for his path-breaking social and economic initiatives such as Pradhanmantri Gramin Sadak Yojana, Sarv Siksha Abhiyan, Telecom Revolution and introduction of Fiscal Responsibility Act.
"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," Singh said.
The Punjab government has declared a three-day mourning.
Singh, who was Punjab's chief minister when Vajpayee was prime minister for the third time between 1999 and 2004, recalled his ties with him. "He has left an indelible imprint in the Indian polity and global arena, strengthening the bonds of peace, communal harmony and national integration," Singh added.
Sukhbir Singh Badal, president of Shiromani Akali Dal, a BJP ally, said India has lost "an honest leader, ethical statesman, learned poet and gentleman politician".
"I had the good fortune of being part of the former prime minister's cabinet as minister of state for industry," Sukhbir Badal said, adding, he admired Vajpayee for his steely leadership during the July 1999 Kargil war with Pakistan.
"He will be missed by all," he added.
Former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal said Vajpayee was "the tallest Indian he has worked with and one of the greatest statesmen on the world stage."
"Few will ever display the courage to pursue peace like Mr Vajpayee did. His bus journey to Lahore (in Pakistan) symbolized that courage as did his approach to Kashmir issue."
In April 2003, Vajpayee said in Parliament that gun can solve no problem; brotherhood can. "Issues can be resolved if we move forward guided by the three principles of Insaaniyat (humanism), Jamhooriyat (democracy) and Kashmiriyat (Kashmir's age old legacy of amity)," he had told lawmakers.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said Vajpayee considered the hill state his second home.
He said the idea to construct the Rohtang tunnel in the eastern Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas was conceived in 1998 by Vajpayee and the project was announced by him in June 2000.
The project is near completion and is the biggest gift of the former prime minister to Himachal, he said, adding, people of the state would always miss his attachment to the state.
The Himachal Pradesh government has announced a seven-day state mourning. It has also declared a two-day public holiday on Friday and Saturday as a mark of respect for Vajpayee.
Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra described Vajpayee as an astute leader whose thoughts were deeply influenced by humanism. Vohra had worked with him.
"The governor recalled Vajpayeeji's continuing endeavour to evolve an amicable resolution of issues relating to Kashmir," an official spokesman quoted Vohra as saying.
The Uttar Pradesh government has declared closure of all offices, schools and colleges tomorrow as a mark of respect for Vajpayee. The announcement was made by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in New Delhi.
Former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala, INLD leader Abhay Singh Chautala, Punjab BJP chief Shwait Malik and Union Minister Vijay Sampla also mourned Vajpayee's demise.
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