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#AtaljiAmarRahen : Sonia Gandhi, Dr Manmohan Singh , Sharad Pawar Pay Rich Tributes

Picture Courtesy : Rediff.com

Picture Courtesy : Rediff.com

The late three time former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was admired and respected across party lines. As this attribute can be seen in the tributes to him after his death.

United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh paid tributes to the late leader at his residence in New Delhi.

Picture Courtesy : Rediff.com

Picture Courtesy : Rediff.com

In her condolence message, Sonia Gandhi described Vajpayee as a ‘towering figure’ who stood for democratic values and demonstrated this commitment in all his acts.

Expressing sadness over his demise, the former Congress chief said Vajpayee’s warm personality and gift of friendship had won him admirers and friends across the political spectrum and from every walk of life.

“I am deeply saddened by the passing away of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee….His death leaves behind a huge void. I join millions of our fellow Indians in mourning his loss and pray for the departed soul,” she said.

“Shri Vajpayee was a towering figure in our national life. Throughout his life, he stood for democratic values and demonstrated this commitment in all his acts, whether as a parliamentarian, a cabinet minister, or prime minister of India. He was a spellbinding orator, a leader of great vision, a patriot to the core for whom the national interest was paramount.

“But above all, he was a man with a very large heart and a real spirit of magnanimity. One saw that in all his interactions — with other political parties and their leaders, with foreign governments, with coalition partners, and indeed with his own political colleagues, whom he always treated with respect and courtesy,” Sonia Gandhi said.

Singh, in his condolence message, hailed Vajpayee as a great patriot and one of the tallest leaders of modern India who spent his whole life serving the country as he expressed profound sorrow at his predecessor’s demise.

Describing Vajpayee as a great prime minister and an outstanding parliamentarian, the Congress leader said the former premier was an excellent orator and an impressive poet.

In a letter to Vajpayee’s foster daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya, Singh said Vajpayee was a ‘great patriot’ and people from all walks of life, irrespective of their political leanings, loved and respected him.

He said Vajpayee proved his ability both nationally and internationally and helped India improve its ties with many countries, including its neighbours.

‘I have learnt with profound sorrow about the sad demise of Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji. An excellent orator, an impressive poet, an exceptional public servant, an outstanding parliamentarian and a great prime minister, Shri Vajpayeeji 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,’ Singh said in his condolence message.

‘His ability and personality were such that people from all walks of life, irrespective of their political leanings, loved and respected Shri Vajpayeeji. His services to our nation will be remembered for a long time to come,’ the former prime minister said in his letter to Bhattacharya.

He added that his wife joined him in conveying heartfelt condolences to her and the other members of the family.

Nationalist Congress party Supremo and Maratha stalwart Sharad Pawar too expressed his grief at the passing away of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in a tweet.

“His passing away is a personal loss, having spent numerous years in our parliamentary life together, and an irreparable loss to our country,” said Pawar.

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