Atal Bihari Vajpayee death anniversary: President, VP, PM Modi pay tributes

New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his second death anniversary.

“Tributes to beloved Atal Ji on his Punya Tithi. India will always remember his outstanding service and efforts towards our nation’s progress,” PM Modi said in a tweet.

They paid tributes at ‘Sadaiv Atal’, the memorial to Vajpayee in the national capital.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Vajpayee’s tremendous contribution towards pubic life and India’s development will always be cherished, and his vision for the country will continue to inspire coming generations.

“Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji was the voice of patriotism and Indian culture. He was a dedicated politician as well as a skilled organiser who played an important role in the expansion of the BJP after laying its foundation and inspired millions of workers to serve the country,” Home Minister Amit Shah said.

Vajpayee served as prime minister thrice - in 1996, from 1998 to 1999 and then for a full five-year term between 1999 and 2004.

He was the first leader from the Bharatiya Janata Party to become the prime minister.

Born on December 25, 1924, in Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior, he was a prominent writer and had authored a number of poems.

The BJP stalwart retired from active politics due to his feeble health after resigning as the prime minister in 2004.

He died on August 16, 2018, at the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in Delhi after a prolonged illness. (UNI)