BJP headquarters to Smriti Sthal: Politicians, foreign dignitaries pay tributes to Atal Bihari Vajpayee

In an unprecedented gesture, the Mauritius government has decided that both Indian and Mauritian flag will fly half-mast on government buildings as a mark of respect to former Indian PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. 

As politicians from across parties paid their tributes to Vajpayee, dignitaries from neighbouring countries too arrived in New Delhi on Friday, August 17. Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Bangladesh foreign minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, Nepal foreign affairs minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali and Sri Lanka acting foreign minister Lakshman Kiriella will attend the funeral. 

Joining us in our moment of grief! In an unprecedented gesture, the Government of #Mauritius has decided that both Indian and Mauritian flag will fly half-mast on government buildings today as a mark of respect following the sad demise of former PM Vajpayee. pic.twitter.com/qn8ZA38tT2

— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) August 17, 2018

Meanwhile, a meeting of Congress president Rahul Gandhi will PCC presidents, general secretaries and in-charge of states has been postponed for tomorrow. The Delhi High Court and all district courts remained open till 1pm on Friday. 

Political leaders, including Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, SP leader Akhilesh Yadav, shared their old photos with Vajpayee on social media. Reactions and condolence messages posted on Twitter:

I am at a loss of words to express my deep grief and sadness today as we all mourn the passing away of one of India’s tallest statesmen, #AtalBihariVajpayee. To me, Atalji was more than a senior colleague- in fact he was my closest friend for over 65 years: LK Advani pic.twitter.com/Yom2hk4Dl9

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018

Vladimir Putin sent a message of condolences to Ram Nath Kovind and Narendra Modi on the passing of Atal Bihari Vajpayee https://t.co/K9rYP2wV8y

— President of Russia (@KremlinRussia_E) August 16, 2018

#AtalBihariVajpayee was one of India’s great leaders - saddened by his passing and my thoughts are with his family and loved ones. He was a close partner of the UK. Those who remember his State Visit to the UK in 2001 will know how well respected he was here.

— Mark Field MP (@MarkFieldUK) August 16, 2018

President sends message of sympathy and condolences on the demise of former PM of #India Atal Bihari Vajpayee https://t.co/TQ7TrTE4Hd pic.twitter.com/u06mVsZJiC

— Presidency Maldives (@presidencymv) August 16, 2018

In memory of India's former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee."A genuinely democratic framework enables us to respect alternative points of view to value diversity & to fashion solutions responsive to the aspiration of the people" - at the UNGA in 2002. #AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/KOjSz5eXds

— United Nations India (@UNinIndia) August 17, 2018

.@SecPompeo: On behalf of the American people, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the people of #India on the passing of Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Today, our two countries & our bilateral relationship continue to benefit from Prime Minister Vajpayee’s vision. pic.twitter.com/2mtaOQhYmg

— Heather Nauert (@statedeptspox) August 16, 2018

अटल जी के साथ कुछ अविस्मरणीय पल। pic.twitter.com/OOT01ozBxB

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 17, 2018

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali arrives in Delhi, he will attend the funeral of former PM #AtalBihariVajpayee. pic.twitter.com/oRtSqslSVR

— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018

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. #AtalBihariVajpayee

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 16, 2018

Words mean so little at a time like this but words are all we have to convey the deepest condolences to Gunu, to Neha, to Ranjan & the entire family. May God give you strength to bear this tremendous loss. #AtalBihariVajpayee

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) August 16, 2018

He was an enormously important person who we have great respect for and it's a great loss for India. I wanted to pay my respects to a man of that stature: Dominic Asquith, British High Commissioner to India #AtalBihariVajpayee pic.twitter.com/wQYq86y2ZG

— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2018

नई दिल्ली में पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री परम श्रद्धेय श्री अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी जी के निधन के उपरान्त उनके आवास पर शोक पुस्तिका में अपने उद्गार अंकित किये। pic.twitter.com/Tbx24eR2JG

— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) August 17, 2018

स्व. अटल जी ने राजनीति को दलगत राजनीति से ऊपर उठाया, सदैव अपने दल के सिद्धांतों व अपने दर्शन पर अडिग रहना सिखाया, जब भी राजनीति भटकी उसको सही मार्ग दिखाया, विदेशों से मित्रता का पाठ पढ़ाया. अटल जी का जाना भारतीय राजनीति एवं साहित्यिक जगत के मुखरित स्वर का मौन हो जाना है. मौन नमन! pic.twitter.com/1w4EOgr9qG

— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) August 17, 2018

Paid tribute to Atal Ji - our strength, our inspiration, our motivation at the latter’s residence at Delhi. pic.twitter.com/FlS3rZDHuq

— Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) August 16, 2018

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

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) August 16, 2018

Paid my respects to India's beloved former Prime Minister, late Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji, at New Delhi. pic.twitter.com/qFokyI0HtP

— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) August 17, 2018

On behalf of the DMK, I paid my last respects to the former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee in New Delhi. We join our fellow Indians in mourning the loss of this remarkable leader. pic.twitter.com/vPg3mjGrIg

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) August 17, 2018

श्रद्धेय अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी जी... अटल, अचल, नित्य... #AtalBehariVajpayee #AtalJiAmarRahen pic.twitter.com/TfudKADyyF

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) August 17, 2018

अब अनमोल स्मृतियां ही शेष रह गई हैं। आदरणीय श्री अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी जी देश के सर्वमान्य नेता ही नहीं, बल्कि हमारे लिए तो ऐसे पितृतुल्य अभिभावक थे, जिनका हम सभी को स्नेह और आशीर्वाद मिलता रहा। pic.twitter.com/d9gl1aBrst

— ShivrajSingh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) August 17, 2018

Quaid PMLN Nawaz Sharif and Atal Bihari Vajpayee made sincere efforts to bring their two countries together, India has lost a sincere leader with the death of Prime Minister Vajpayee.May the two countries build peace on the foundation laid by Nawaz Sharif and Atal Bihari Vajpayee pic.twitter.com/3Pm5W0s5US

— PML(N) (@pmln_org) August 17, 2018

One of the biggest Hall-Mark of a Great Leader is his predictability, Large hearted-ness with a clear mind of his own. #AtalJiAmarRahen .This is who Mr Vajpayee was...

— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) August 17, 2018

Paid my last respects to the former Prime Minister Sh. Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji. pic.twitter.com/UKyhuUYkB1

— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) August 17, 2018

Also read: Atal Bihari Vajpayee to be cremated at Smriti Sthal: Celebs react on Twitter