Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday condoled the death of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and said that India had lost one of its greatest visionaries.
"We have lost one of the greatest visionaries the nation has seen, on this unfortunate day. The beloved former Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji will continue to inspire us and the generations to come. May he rest in peace," Naidu said in a tweet.
Calling him a great statesman, Naidu recalled the days that they worked together and heaped praise on him.
“He would always take it sportively even if we disagreed. He was always interested in taking the nation forward. We will always remember him and all the service he has done as a visionary,” Naidu told reporters.
The CM is also expected to travel to New Delhi on Friday morning to pay his last respects.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) also took to Facebook, to put out a video of Vajpayee in Hyderabad during the inauguration of Hyderabad's iconic Cyber Towers.
Opposition leaders, including Congress President Rahul Gandhi, former prime minister Manmohan Singh and chief ministers of West Bengal, Odisha and Delhi on Thursday condoled the death of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, describing him a great son of India, a statesman and one of country's tallest leaders.
Gandhi said in a tweet that Vajpayee was loved and respected by millions of people and he will be missed.
"Today, India lost a great son. Former PM, Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji, was loved and respected by millions. My condolences to his family and all his admirers. We will miss him," Gandhi said.
Gandhi had earlier in the day visited Vajpayee at AIIMS where he was being treated.
Manmohan Singh, in his message, said that Vajpayee stood among the "tallest leaders" of modern India and spent his whole life serving the country.
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad described Vajpayee as a great human being and "true statesman".
Azad said that Vajpayee never hesitated in giving full credit to his opposition party leaders whenever due. The Congress leader said he had very happy memories of Vajpayee and his death was a big personal loss.
"He will be greatly remembered for his prolific oratory skills, statesmanship, his relationship with leaders of other parties and outstanding contribution towards public service besides many other qualities," Azad said.
Vajpayee, a founder member of the BJP and the first non-Congress Prime Minister to complete a full term in office, died in Delhi on Thursday after prolonged illness. He was 93.
IANS inputs