Death of Vajpayee widely mourned

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Aug 16: Demise of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna, Atal Bihari Vajpayee has sent a shock wave among people of all political parties and affiliations, who have termed the death as a great loss to the entire nation.
Governor N N Vohra has expressed grief over the sad demise of   Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Paying tribute to the former Prime Minister, with whom he had the privilege of working for seven years, Governor described him as an astute and visionary leader whose thinking was deeply infused by humanism. He recalled Vajpayee’s continuing endeavor to evolve an amicable resolution of issues relating to Kashmir.
In his message, Governor has prayed for peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family members. He is leaving for New Delhi to attend the funeral.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, in his reaction on Vajpayee’s death, said, “We grew up listening to him, learning from him and inspired by him. There was no internet or electronic media in those days, but  I vividly remember that many of our college-mates, who did not subscribe to our ideology, would come over to his public rallies, just to pick up speaking skills from his distinct style of oratory . That was the magic of #AtalBehariVajpayee.”
National Conference president and Member Parliament for Srinagar, Dr Farooq Abdullah and vice president Omar Abdullah have expressed deep grief and sorrow over the passing away of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Highlighting Late Vajpayee’s exemplary contributions in serving the people of the country, Dr Farooq Abdullah said, “In his demise, country has lost not only an exemplary politician but a visionary too. His golden words on Kashmir would be remembered for all times to come.” Calling Late Vajpayee’s political career nothing less than a template for others to follow and imbibe, Dr Farooq said, “He will be remembered not only for his clear political thought but also the way he engineered out of the box initiatives on Kashmir. He still remains as one of the few politicians who have a huge fan following in Kashmir.”
PDP president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has termed death of Vajpayee as a great loss to the nation and especially for the Jammu and Kashmir. “It was for the first time that the Prime Minister of the country felt pain of Kashmir from his heart. He during his time tried to resolve Kashmir and said that it is problem of humanity.  Despite RSS and BJP, he had courage to go to Pakistan in a bus and went to Minar-e-Pakistan to accept Pakistan’s existence which had never happened,” she said and added that it was for the first time that a PM had tried to win hearts of people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Maintaining that Vajpayee’s way is the only solution for Kashmir and those talking of Vajpayee should follow his path of humanity, Mehbooba announced that all her party MLAs were tomorrow going to pay last respect to Vajpayee.
Wave of shock and disbelief was seen amongst the BJP activists at Jammu & Kashmir, who termed this as their personal loss. Expressing deep condolences, BJP State president Ravinder Raina, termed this as big loss to the Nation. “The Bharat Mata has lost a great son, who served the motherland with great patriotic zeal and dedication. Life of Atal ji was full of struggle and he fought all struggles with mighty will power,” he said in his message.
The J&K BJP will hold “Sharadhanjali Sabha” in the memory of Vajpayee on Friday, the 17th of Augut’2018 at 6:00 pm at party headquarter, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu. The BJP State president Ravinder Raina will attend the last rituals and cremation rights at New Delhi.
MLA and former Deputy Chief Minister Kavinder Gupta, in his condolence message, said that Atal Bihari Vajpayee  was one of the few statesmen who brought dignity and esteem to politics. “Vajpayee was a prolific poet, wise Prime Minister, statesman and above all a giant leader, who was admired by all across political spectrum,” he said adding that the demise of Atal Bihari Vajpayee has marked end of an era in Indian politics.
Speaker Dr Nirmal Singh has also condoled the death of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and described it as a great loss to the entire nation.
President J&KPCC, Ghulam Ahmed Mir, has expressed deep shock and grief over the sad demise of Vajpayee and said that he commanded respect amongst all sections of the society cutting across parties and ideologies. “The nation has lost a great parliamentarian and a veteran leader,” he said and prayed for peace to the departed soul and conveyed heartfelt condolences to his family members, relatives and friends on behalf of the entire rank and file of the party.
National Conference provincial president Devender Singh Rana has described Atal Behari Vajpayee as great visionary, a respectable statesman, a leader of wisdom and compassion and an ace orator, who has inspired generations. In his condolence message, Mr Rana said the demise of Atalji has created a vacuum, which is difficult to fill.
Chairman PDF and MLA Khansahib Hakeem Yaseen, in his condolence message, has described Vajpayee as a highly principled noble soul who always stood for peace and justice. He said his political ideology leaving aside, Atal ji was a true human being and a secular leader. Hakeem Yaseen   recalled Vajpayee’s sincere efforts as Prime Minister when he unilatrally extended hand of friendship to neighbouring Pakistan to bring peace and tranquility in the sub continent, especially in the strife torn J&K.
Former MLA and president JKNPP Balwant Singh Mankotia, in a message of condolence, has prayed God for the noble soul rest in peace and said that it was a big loss for the whole nation and world.
MLC and senior PDP leader Surinder Choudhary has called Atab Bihari Vajpayee as ‘statesman and pragmatist, orator and poet, a man of peace and conviction’. He called peace initiatives taken by Vajpayee in J&K which changed lives of the people in the State in general and those living on the borders in particular.
AICC Coordinator Vichar Vibag and former MLA Ashok Sharma has expressed grief and shock over the sad demise of Vajpayee and said that it has created a gap which will remain un-filled.  “The people of India will always remember him for his unblemished and untiring services rendered in a unique way. We pray for the rest of the departed soul in heavenly board and courage to the family, friends to face this tragedy,” he said.
Kanak Mandi Traders Association has deeply mourned the sad demise of great leader and former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, describing his as an institution, man of principles. “We all miss him… May Allmighty God give peace to him,” the Association said in a condolence message
BJP State vice president Pawan Khajuria paid rich tributes to the departed soul and said that Vajpayee was not only the leader of BJP but he was widely popular among the opponents.
Janta Dal Secular held a condolence meeting at the party headquarters, wherein State president Mast Nath Yogi, acting president Ranjay Bargotra and others paid their rich tributes to the departed soul.
Advocate Ravinder Raina, president All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference, said that in passing away of Vajpayee, India has lost a true nationalist and a great visionary, who always put India first and redefined the Indian political setup and was even respected by his political opponents.
Shri Ram Sena, State president Rajiv Mahajan, paying tribute to the former Prime Minister, also prayed for peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family members.
Capt Lalit Sharma, Chairman, Pradesh Congress Vichar Vibhag Jammu & Kashmir has termed Vajpayee as a legendary politician of the country whose services to the nation are unparallel.
All India Kashmiri Samaj held a condolence meeting, under the chairmanship of Col Tej K Tikoo (Retd), at New Delhi wherein a resolution was passed condoling the death of Bharat Ratan Atal Bihari Vajpayee. “India is poorer by his death and it is end of an era,” the meet observed.
All J&K Youth Federation (AJKYF), Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action, All J&K Kissan Union and others have also condoled the sad demise of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

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