Leaders across parties condole death of Atal Bihari Vajpayee

New Delhi, Aug 16: Cutting across party lines, leaders from different parties condoled the death of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has passed away aged 93 at AIIMS in Delhi.

In a medical bulletin, the hospital said the Bharat Ratna breathed his last at 5.05pm on Thursday.

"Unfortunately, his condition deteriorated over the last 36 hours and he was put on life support systems. Despite the best of efforts, we lost him today," AIIMS said in a press release.

Here is who said what

Former PM Manmohan Singh condoles Vajpayee's demise

I have learnt with profound sorrow about the sad demise of Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji. An excellent orator, an impressive poet, an exceptional Public Servant, an outstanding Parliamentarian and a great Prime Minister, Shri Vajpayee ji 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.

Atalji was a true 'Ajatshatru', says Rajnath Singh
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, in a series of tweets, condoled the death of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and called him 'Ajatshatru' saying that the leader had friends across political parties.

'India lost a great son,' says Rahul Gandhi

Today India lost a great son. Former PM, Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji, was loved and respected by millions. My condolences to his family & all his admirers. We will miss him, tweeted Rahul.

'Big loss to the nation': Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee mourned over the loss of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. She said his passing away is a big loss to nation.

Very very saddened that the great statesman and former PM Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji is no more with us. His passing away is a very big loss to our nation. I will always cherish the many fond memories. Condolences to his family and his many admirers

India has lost a multi-faceted 'Ratna', says Venkaiah Naidu

Remembering Atal Bihari Vajpayee as "a friendly and lovable prime minister India has had", Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu said that, India has "lost a multi-faceted 'Ratna', a diamond that adorned Bharata Mata for many decades."

In another tweet, Naidu said that Vajpayee's speech inspired him to join politics. "I used to be such a fan of his from my college days," he said.

India has lost a great son, says Pranab Mukherjee

In a tweet, former president Pranab Mukherjee said, "A reasoned critique in Opposition and a seeker of consensus as prime minister, Atal ji was a democrat to the core. In his passing away, India has lost a great son and an era has come to an end. My deepest condolences."