Chennai: Tamilnadu joined the nation in paying rich tributes to former prime minister and Bharat Ratna awardee, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who passed away in New Delhi this evening.
Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami,
leaders of various political parties and actor Rajinikanth condoled
the death of the former prime minister.
The Governor, in his message, expressed shock over Vajpayee’s death and
termed him as an outstanding statesman, a great orator and a role
model for politicians.
“The sad demise of Shri Atal BehariVajpayeeji, an outstanding
statesman, a great orator and a role model for politicians and
poets, fills me with great shock and grief,” he said, according
to a Raj Bhavan communique in Chennai.
“A great son of Mother India is no more. But his service to
the people of India as the Prime Minister of the nation, memories
of his speeches in Parliament and outside, and his qualities of
tolerance and magnanimity will live on forever,” Purohit said.
“I convey my deep condolences and pray to the almighty God to
rest his soul in peace,” he added.
Chief Minister Palaniswami, in his condolence message, said Vajpayee was the first person from the BJP to be elected as prime minister.
Stating that he had thrice served the people of the country as
Prime Minister, he said he had also served as MP of both
Houses of Parliament for 50 years and as External Affairs
Minister.
Recalling his interest in literature, he said Vajpayee was
also a great orator and an able administrator.
He has dedicated his life to the country and has been conferred
with the highest honour of Bharat Ratna.
Terming Vajpayee’s death as a great loss to the country, Palaniswami
expressed grief and anguish over his death and offered his heartfelt
condolences to his family and BJP workers.
Condoling his death, senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha member
L Ganesan his death was an irreparable loss to the nation.
BJP State president Tamilisai Soundararajan said people
using the golden quadrilateral route would always remember
him.
She said Mr Vajpayee was a good orator, poet, scholar and
strove hard for India’s growth.
Recalling his call for inter-linking of rivers, Tamilisai
said he was respected by all. “Apart from the BJP, his death
is a big loss to the country,” she said.
She also recalled how to provided a good, corruption-free
government by coordinating with 21 political parties.
Rajinikanth, in his condolence message, said, “I’m saddened to hear
about the demise of a great statesman Shri. Vajpayee ji. May his soul rest in peace,” Rajinikanth tweeted.
AIADMK MP V Maitreyan said an era has come to an end. He was
one of the tallest leaders of India, he said in praise.
TNCC president S Thirunavukkarasar said Vajpayee’s death was a big
loss to India and Indian politics.
MDMK general secretary Vaiko, who visited him at the hospital
while he was undergoing treatment, said, “My heart is broken.”
“A lovable person, Vajpayee used to treat me as his adopted
son. I knew him for 40 years. He was also an eloquent speaker,
great scholar and writer,” he added.
He said Vajpayee handled the coalition government well by
taking into confidence all the coalition partners.
He also hailed his policy decision that no arms would be
supplied to Sri Lanka during the 1999 war.
DMK leader and former Union minister T R Baalu said the death
of two great leaders – Vajpayee and DMK president M Karunanidhi
– in a short span of time was a great loss to Indian politics.
He said Vajpayee was the architect of implementing the
Golden Quadrilateral project.
Vajpayee
Tamil Maanila Congress leader and former Shipping minister
G K Vasan said Vajpayee’s death was a great loss to Indian
politics. He was a great leader, a nice person and rose to the eminent
position through hard work.
Prince of Arcot Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali, in his condolence
message, said the passing away of the towering personality,
Vajpayee, an elderly stalwart in the country, will be long
remembered by many, who admired and regarded him as a true
patriot in every sense till his last breath, for his noble
services, especially towards nation’s welfare and well-being.
“Atal ji was a very humble, pious, simple-living and high-
thinking person, with a vision to strengthen the basic
secular fabric of the nation,” he said.
“Above all, he was a symbol of peace and harmony, who
respected all faiths,” the Prince said.
“I join the millions of our countrymen to condole his
